New South Wales, we need a Todd Carney contingency plan. It seems a rambunctious youth of whiskey and lead-footing combined with the rusting capabilities of the Shire’s ocean air is slowly beginning to render his body brittle and unreliable.
Right now, our incumbent five-eighth is sidelined with a busted ankle that will keep him out of commission until at least round seven.
It’s an irritating and inconveniently timed absence that comes on the back of a nasty Achilles tear that took the majority of the off-season to heal.
As a state of seven-consecutive losers, we must act immediately on the anxious power that is generated from repeated beatings. Here in NSW, we cannot afford a slack preparation.
Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat.
We must assume that the Sharks pivot will not prove himself in the handful of games before selection time, and that any assumption that he may rise from his sick bed to snatch his precious jersey back into his possession like a sky blue Gollum is nothing more than a grand delusion.
Cronulla’s famous science program may not bear fruit in time. He may remain lame. He may return with unflattering performances that are eye-wateringly repugnant. Or even crazy enough, he may not even be first choice for the role?
So we, the big family from the premier state, must discuss this now so to prevent another one of those Brett Finch midnight hour scenarios from ever happening again. Take a look at the understudies.
Josh Reynolds
This crazy-eyed Bulldog possesses energy, confidence and exuberance, the exact kind of qualities that the bullyboy Queensland team has enjoyed successfully bashing out of bushy-tailed rookies in the past.
Reynolds is the darling of the Sydney media and has had many backslaps and endorsements for selection from two-faced media brown-nosers, usually when he is sitting across the interview table from them. It’s the kind of two-bob tabloid rhetoric that has won rep jerseys in Sydney before.
James Maloney
The new Roosters man is showing all of the refreshed enthusiasm of a man who has just returned from a gap year, and that’s because he just has. I didn’t see him on the footy field in 2012. Did you?
Maloney ticks all of the boxes to be a walk-up start for NSW; he courageously runs direct, confidently pots goals with the accuracy of a crossbow and is on the payroll at the Sydney Roosters.
Kurt Gidley
After the ignominy of being the eternally wincing face of NSW’s 7-year subordination and our first ever benched captain – a decision by the selection panel that I still need video of to believe – Gidley has earned the right to be released from the shackles of a ‘specialist utility’ and given a spin in the hot seat.
We owe him the enjoyment of feeling like a real footballer for NSW. Let him be totally poleaxed in the opening set of play and then allowed to frolic in later game periods that aren’t within the patronising Buhrer-style sympathy minutes of junk time.
Jarrod Mullen
The quiet achiever of the group, Mullen has the experience and fortitude to stand up to the eyebrow singeing flames of Origin’s cauldron of encumbrance.
His premature taste of Origin from his pre-shaving days should stand him in good stead if selected. The agonising feeling of another scoreboard shellacking will feel entirely routine, and his now muscled-up rig will be able to safely withstand the horrific after-effects of more Mitchell Pearce hospital balls.
John Sutton
You just did a double take, didn’t you?
The key to a Sutton call-up lies within the selection panel’s deep affection for a convenient combination. If incumbent halfback Pearce gets measles, loss of physical dexterity or is just a victim of an evil Laurie Daley lie, then the next in line is Adam Reynolds. And who partners him at the Rabbitohs scrum base?
A Bra Boy, that’s who.
Josh McCrone
I’m including a Canberra Raider as a simple shout-out to the ever-maligned talent that plies their trade in the regional teams. If this bloke turned out his excellent form from the back-end of 2012 while wearing the colours of a Sydney club, he may be spoken of more frequently.
Unfortunately, having a phone that doesn’t ring at Origin time is what you get for choosing to live in Canberra.
wozza
Guest
Sincerely dude anasta is a big part of why nsw has lost 7 straight ,,,,he's the most overrated player of recent times ....
Bucks
Guest
The best NSW team; 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Josh Morris 4. Michael Jennings 5. Michael Gordon 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Kade Snowden 9. Robbie Farah 10. James Tamou 11. Greg Bird 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Paul Gallen (c) Interchange- 14. Kurt Gidley 15. Trent Merrin 16. Anthony Watmough 17. Luke Lewis
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Best halves combination we could get.
Draginheart
Guest
They all seem like great teams but we need gidley in there somewhere and carney either 5/8 or 1/2 back I would play gidley on bench soward 5/8 and carney 1/2 back also Weyman in prop now don't get me wrong Sutton is a great player but I don't think he is a player for these type of games
Greg
Guest
Here is my view if Todd carney is fit u would be mad not to pick him, the reason I say this is he is the one us Queenslanders do fear. I'm not knocking the other players but he has the X factor , not to mention Laurie Daley would remember he didn't exactly have the greatest start to his origin career. You have stuck with Pearce all this time, keep the same halves or you will be getting beaten by us Queenslanders for the next 10 yrs a bit of food for thought ,keep the majority of ur team from last year. Good Luck and go the Queenslander.
Che
Guest
NSW Blues Team 2013 1. Brett, Stewart 2. Nathan, Merrit 3. Michael, Jennings 4. Josh, Morris 5. Brett, Morris 6. James, Maloney 7. Adam, Reynolds 8. Tim, Grant 9. Robbie, Farrah 10. James, Tamou 11. Greg, Bird 12. Anthony, Watmough 13. Paul, Gallen 14. Luke, Lewis 15. John, Sutton 16. Ryan, Hoffman 17. Aaron, Woods I believe that Sutton, would be good on the bench as he can play many different positions and also back up for Maloney just in case he tires out or gets injured. I also don't think Akuila Uate should play in origin mainly because of his defence allowing in a few tries last year and defence is the key to winning games!
Brett
Guest
Watemough is an 11 on a 12 (makes a difference) and gallen is not a prop put mason there. Take sutton out and put a 5/8 with more creativity. And what is Merrin doing in the team I wold have Akuila instead of bmoz but no problem with your backline
Joe
Guest
My NSW TEAM 1. Brett Stewart 2. Jarryd Hayne 3.Michael Jennings 4.Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. John Sutton 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Paul Gallen 9. Robbie Farah 10. James Tamou 11. Luke Lewis 12. Anthony Watmough 13. Greg Bird 14.Kurt Gidley 15. Tim Grant. 16. Trent Merrin 17. Ryan Hoffman GO THE BLUES!!!
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
I would rather gids soward or carney
DingoGray
Roar Guru
If Carney is not available surely Braith Anasta is a shoe in as 5/8 for NSW
Brett
Guest
It makes me SO HAPPY when I see that half combination. The best for the nsw halves. The bench is upsetting. Why do u have Merrin woods and j reynolds in the team. Also Akuila should be in the team for b moz
Carlos
Guest
After watching the Nights Dragons game today Soward is my first choice 6 along with Carney at 7. Sowards kicking game was exemplary and his running, defence and attitude were fantastic. Our kicking in Origin has been woeful the last few years, Soward could turn this key area of the game around for us. This weeks team 1.Stewart 2.Hayne 3.Jennings 4.Morris 5.Morris 6.Soward 7.Carney 8.Woods 9.Farrah 10.Tamou 11.Bird 12.Stewart 13.Gallen (c) Bench - Grant, Merrin, Whatmough, J Reynolds
Brett the manly fan
Guest
What's wrong with brett Stewart. Best nsw player last year
neily_b
Roar Rookie
This is a strong looking side but I agree with Brett about Tamou. I would start with Tamou and move Merrin to the bench for Scott. I'm glad to see someone finally picking Hoffman again and although Merritt would not be out of place in a Blues jumper, if they were going to pick him they would have done it by now. Brett Stewart is my only other concern with this side but at the moment I don't know who could take his place...
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Well you don't have Tamou or mason but u have Merrin.......he is a waste of the limited 17 players and so is beau Scott. Your backrow looks fierce but I would have Lewis on the bench for that extra impact. The backline is missing Hayne and Uate butt you have Morris Stewart carney and jennings so that great. Reynold might be a little to young...remember Mullen in 2007. Kade Snowden is an ok choice but I would rather have a fifita like player or a Feleti Mateo. Not a bad side but they lack size and versatility.
Trent
Guest
My Nsw side: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. Todd Carney 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Trent Merrin 9. Robbie Farrah 10. Tim Grant 11. Luke Lewis 12. Greg Bird 13. Paul Gallen Int change: 14. Kade Snowden 15. Anthony Watmough 16. Ryan Hoffman 17. Beau Scott
Brett of manly
Guest
Yeah but Daley already has Pearce at halfback with is an issue
DubbleBubble
Guest
I would like to see Carney but I suspect he will just choke and disappear as he did for almost all 3 of last years Origins (save for a line break/try assist in game 2). Also I know there are a few Gidley haters out there but he is surely a better option at 7 than Pearce if they decide to give Adam Reynolds another year to mature.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
If todd carney is not availible for origin, I would like to see either Maloney (runs hard) Soward (goal kicker and skill) or Gidley( experience and had working) there to replace im J reynold should not be the 5/8 he should not even be inthe team unless daley chooses him to come off the bench in the forward, but even then we have better players to use there then him
Dane Eldridge
Expert
That kind of common sense just isn't applied at NSW selection meetings. We prefer to burn our rookies at the stake and send them to the wilderness for eternity!