It’s State of Origin time, and, as expected, the forecast isn’t predicting blue skies. Again. All I see is another overwhelmingly large front fanned by howling winds of bad fortune that is descending upon us from the north.
It’s just a gigantic and gloomy reminder that we really have bugger-all chance of winning this year’s series.
We downtrodden and dedicated cockroaches will continue to spin the rosary beads on repeat in the hope of unexpected sunlight, but we all know deep down that the thrashing downpour is looming.
This year, the radar has identified many vulnerable areas at risk.
I’m putting out a current warning for the dummy half region.
Not long ago, we were cautiously hopeful of compiling an honest cluster of options all possessing nearly 70 percent of Cameron Smith’s level of ability. The plan was for these guys to inspire each other to greater heights by the thrill of scrapping for a berth in a state side on the verge of another hiding.
But any small progress that was brewing in this area seems to have dissipated.
The popular choice was going to be the return of loveable son Danny Buderus. In a romantic and stirring Origin tale for the ages, the man who plays with the passion legally trademarked by Queensland was to be thrust back in to the bonfire based mainly on the fact that he was around the last time we won a series.
But all of the bluster about a Langer-esque return in sky blue motif began to evaporate as his achilles began to wilt, and he has now been ruled out of calculations.
The next in line is the incumbent Michael Ennis. He typifies all of what we expect in our Origin players; rugged, combative, provocative and compromised by injury.
All respect to the bloke, he’s busted his Bulldog behind all year under duress, but his detrimental twinges seem to be persevering. His statistical returns in 2012 as well as his half-done clean bill of health wouldn’t be keeping Mal Meninga awake at night.
Then there’s Robbie Farah. He’s punching out decent numbers in the required KPI’s, he’s not carrying any niggles and he’s even shown old school Origin toughness by unloading an angry spear tackle earlier in the year.
Unfortunately for him, his chances are compromised by his reputation.
He’s an adept trick-shot master, but he’s been intrinsically Tiger-tuned by Tim Sheens and seems only fully operational with black and gold batteries. Adapting him to another set of players in the space of one boozed-up camp week may be a bridge too far.
Natural attrition leaves Ryan Hinchcliffe as next in queue. Tough, durable, adaptable and possessing absolutely no experience at this level whatsoever.
Anyone feeling mighty cold yet?
And don’t rule out our selectors adoration of the smoky bolter. Perhaps a Mitch Rein, Jake Friend or Isaac de Gois will be seen as the hooker to provide enough smoulder to keep us warm in this horrendous downpour?
Crikey.
I think it’s time to go and hide in my safety bunker.
Here's everything you need to know about Women's State of Origin 2022 - from the kick-off time to how to watch and where it will be won.
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