Kurt Gidley shouldn't be playing Origin

One of the main reasons NSW went so close last year was this hack was unavailable for selection. As for the alleged positions he can cover - too slow for fullback in Origin as is demonstrated every time he is put there, playing him at hooker serves only to disrupt the team (note that QLD never do the same thing). He was also bizarrely picked for the Australian team and played 10 minutes at the end of the game and was basically a wasted spot on the bench. NSW would be far better served with an additional forward on the bench rather than waste space on Gidley so he can provide dubious third-rate backup - unlike the Australian team we cannot afford to have a wasted spot on the bench. The continual selection of Gidley is League's greatest mystery.

I remember that bomb. Basically it was a set-up so that the Queenslanders could bash a blue. And guess whose idea it was. I'll give you a hint... everyone calls him a legend.

Most ridiculous article I have ever read in my life. Never heard so much rubbish! Gidley is a phenomenal player and he deserves to be part of the NSW side. He is talented and a hard worker with a clear passion for the game.

Next time you watch what Giddley does and what Ennis does you will see the diffference. Giddley is by far a better hooker and should be for the full game, he is superfit. He can read play well, he does not drop off marker defence like Ennis does. With Giddley and Lewis in the side everyone lifts and for that alone they both need to be in for the full 80 minutes.

The top minds in the game of League would completely disregard this article. They may agree that he is not the best in the state in any given starting position, but sure as heck, he is a top notch player off the bench. He even gave Ennis a run for his money with the performance he displayed last night. At least with Gidley, you know he won't give away silly penalties, such as the instance when Ennis blocked Slater's way, having QLD have a full set of six at the base of our try line. But don't get me wrong, I like Ennis and think he is a great player. Just needs to try to resist on some occasions in giving penalties - as seen with Paul Gallen. Gallen used to be renowned for giving penalties, but now he has cleaned up his act and displayed a wonderful performance last night. I respect your opinion with this article, but please; Gidley is a great player and should really be given the credit he deserves.

I agree with all, that he is not the best in any position, but last night (SOO II) he really did play well. He's bigger and stronger than ever, and fits well into the dummy-half position; rather than at fullback. So I have do disagree with those who think Gidley is a 'joke' at hooker. He had a clear part in the Hopoate try, he nearly put Watmough through with a lovely ball, and had all round good defence. Plus he has good ball handling and kicking skills. Unfortunately many people don't recognise the hard work, and rather concentrate on the fancy glamour plays that appear on highlights. Because of this, Gidley's hard work isn't appreciated as much as it should be. And one who actually understands the game would know that Gidley is a proper representative player, although is best off the bench. So all in all, great player and fits anywhere - as seen last night with the departure of Hopoate. If anyone were to be injured in the team, he can replace them - whether it be hooker, in the halves, centres/wingers, and the fullback - he covers everything. Well certainly last night he outplayed his opponent in Cooper Cronk. Stop the hate, and appreciate.

mate i hope you watched gidley last night, he was our best player behind gallen, Queensland were all over us when ennis was doing his usual side to side but as soon as gidley came on, bam straight up the middle we went! He created chances was involved in our first two tries and created at least 3 line breaks that i saw, if you were looking for a reason to have him in the side, you just saw it!

After this whole article Gidley came on played most of the game at hooker, put on an awesome performance that helped win the game, his perfomance completley contradicts this article. If anything they should drop ennis who keeps giving away crucial penalties that nearly cost the game and have gids at hooker most of the game.

text from Kurt "get that up ya"

Guess all you 'Gidley haters' are really eating your words now, gave the Blues so much versatility and a breath of fresh air in attack when he came on, defended relentlessly and was one of their best.

I couldn't disagree more with this statement!!! Kurt Gidley is the best option we have to the bench as a utility. He puts in 100% and is passionate about NSW. You think he doesn't perform at origin? Well let's go to the tapes, game 3 2009 Nsw leading Boyd make a break down the sideline, Gidley makes up ground on Boyd and makes a try saving tackle hammering him into the sideline. Game 3 2010, nsw were getting nowhere then gidley comes on. He puts Gallen into a hole to score, he scores in the second half by diving through 5 qld players, he makes the initial line break runs 50 metres offloads which eventually leads them up to the Bird try. Last night, did anyone watch and notice things changed when gidley came on. Those two short side plays where Uate had space Gidley put him through. The try to Hopate was because of a Gidley bust and offload. Gidley went the short side to Pearce for the kick to the Lewis try. So if you think having Idris of the bench is better you have a rock next to the peanut in your head. Idris is too slow, as soon a someone gets around him or put a grubber in behind he doesn't have the pace to chase.  Kurt Gidley and is work go unnoticed, Ricky stuart isn't dumb he knows what Gidley offers. 

Easily one of the most clever players in the game.

I watched game 3 last year and I can tell you that until Gidley came on NSW was going NOWHERE. Ennis was not providing the direction or spark required. Gidley's enthusiasm, sparked the team, our direction in attack improved and we really started to trouble QLD. As a fan of NSW I do not want a team full of superstars like Jarryd Hayne. You want solid consistent performers like Gallen and Gidley who put 100% effort in which allows the superstars to do their job. Just because you do not like Gidley does not mean he has not earnt the right to be in the team. NSW's problem in terms of a 5 series losing streak has been inconsistent selections in the halves (chopping and changing) and an underperforming forward pack. This goes back to the selectors. Gidley has not cost us games, the team as a whole has cost us games through all of them making errors and giving away stupid penalties. But it is interesting how the only player attacked by NSW supporters is Gidley and none of them ever acknowledge when he does make positive contributions to thegame for the team. Newcastle fans know he is not the most talented player but they do know the effect he has on a team and how much better a team plays with him in it through his shear work ethic, enthusiasm and never say die attitude. He has atleast lived up to his abilities whikle a lot of other NSW team members have not.

Gidley was one of the best players out there tonight. I only read half of your article because you clearly have NO IDEA.

everyone wants another big guy on the bench?? let's see how it goes tonight? i'm glad we have a coach that thinks laterally, instead of reading from a textbook... big guys don't always win... it's not the side i would pick as well, i hope we play at a very fast pace no kicking for touch, quick play the balls and see if we can make them tired in the last 20mins... i'll be glad we have fit guys like Gidley Watmough and Lewis on the bench it's time for something different

"His skill as a solid fullback is unmatched." Take off the Red & Blue glasses my friend. There must be half a dozen fullbacks ahead of him: Slater Boyd Dugan Stewart Minichiello (Based on current selection) Gordon You could probably add Nathan Gardner to that list as well. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs should be there. He would add some much needed size & physicality to the Blues pack. We don't need another utility on the bench with Lewis.

Absolutely agree!! For reasons beyond my comprehension, Gidley has attained the same "automatic selection" status for NSW as Slater, Thurston, Lockyer, Smith et al for QLD. As far as i could tell, Jarryd Hayne was the only automatic selection for the Blues, so maybe I have no idea. Kurt Gidley is similar to the former English cricket captain, Mike Brearley. A passable player at the county level, he surprised many by being chosen for England's top 11. He then went one better and was made captain. Gidley is a good, solid first grader and no more., Courageous (demanding to receive QLD's "dog" high ball in Origin 3 2009 was acknowledged as the true act of bravey that it was) and tough certainly, but not a player the calibre of those mentioned above.

Totally agree with you League Fan 1. But It's not only the selection of Gidley that amazes. What about Hayne? Game 1 Ricky Stuart says “You’re a five-eighth playing at fullback and that’s why you’re not in the team”. Game 2 Ricky says “You’re a five-eighth playing at fullback, how do you feel about playing on the wing?” What's going on there. NSW in panic mode again. To be honest I think Jarrod Hayne is an overrated player as well and only shows flashes of good footbal on sporadic occasions at club level. Will he be our saviour tonight ?? - Doubt It . After one game NSW have gone back to their ‘pick out of position’, ‘pick out of form’, ‘just hope for the best’ attitude.

Dufus, your name says it all. To me Kurt is only a club leader and his fitness is about the same as most nrl players. He's a mistake-athon waiting to happen and has cost nsw more times than i care to remember. I hope he proves me wrong this time around

Kurt Giddley has a high work rate with many skills. The only criticism that can be fairly aimed at him is that he tries to hard at times and makes mistakes as a result. So many times he has been used as a sub player to uplift the tempo in the 2nd half for the blues and has done a sterling job over the years being under enormous pressure to do something special. His versatility is such he can play in any position except the front row. I believe he would go well at lock. What NSW needs to consider carefully, how they use these players like him, Luke Lewis, Hayne and many more as they are used without any regard to the player? Our emphasis seems to be on who is on the bench and what they can do instead of choosing the best player, in their best position to start the game. Those three mentioned have been talked about as to filling in the role of ½ back, 5/8, full back, centre, hooker, lock! Any wonder why NSW is in a mess. Now we have Jimal Idris being treated in the same way! He is good for test, then no good for Origin, 2nd row, centre?. How does he feel being on top of the world one day and then discarded the next? Please don’t bag the players we really need to look at our selection process.