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As the dust settled on the annual City v Country game the obvious question is ‘what does that mean for the Blues?’
Before I give my answer to that I should add that I was relieved the first question after the match was ‘why do we bother?’
The City v Country game has been a much maligned fixture in the game’s calendar but it has seemed to be growing in popularity and stature for a number of years, all which may have culminated in the cracker in Port Macquarie on Friday.
Importantly, the players looked to be playing the game as though it meant a hell of a lot (surely the most important barometer).
Seeing we are also told how much the game needs to do for the country regions, surely a week which is all about Country representation and brings which it a truckload of junior workshops and school visits is the sort of boost the game needs in those areas.
Sure, we’ll always get clubs not wanting injuries, but you get injuries at training, in normal matches and in David Kidwell’s case at family BBQs with toddlers present.
I reckon the old saying that if you don’t want your players playing rep footy, don’t sign rep players hold true.
But onto the game. I was half expecting to write an article entitled the ‘Bad Boys Blues’ with the thought that the likes of Greg Bird, Todd Carney and Willie Mason could all force their way into the NSW side on the back of strong performances.
I’d still probably opt for Carney at 6, Mason is perhaps still a roughie (great bloke to have around the camp if you believe the clichéd driven Sunday press), but Bird’s horror probably put a line through his name.
But while Bird was playing himself out of the jersey, was Dugan playing his way into it?
He’s already had a boom year for the Raiders so it’s not like he’s been a one game wonder. You could mount an excellent case that his form has been far superior to Jaryd Hayne, so why not?
I’d also argue that Dugan at fullback and Morris and Hayne on the wing are a better combination that Hayne at fullback and Morris and one other on the wing.
Michael Ennis should have played his way into hooker on Friday in his duel with Robbie Farah with most now saying that Ennis’ confrontational style is better suited to the Origin arena.
Other spots may well still be decided by injury and form, but for what it is worth on the basis on Friday’s game (and given the Kangaroos will have a spot) here’s my NSW team:
Possible NSW Origin side
Dugan
Hayne
Lyon
Lawrence
Morris
Carney
Kimmorley
Weyman
Ennis
White
Watmough
Lewis
Gallen
Gidley
Lewis
Perry
Learoyd-Lahrs
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