The Blues can win without Paul Gallen

By Curtis Woodward / Expert

If Paul Gallen is ruled out of State of Origin I on June 5 the New South Wales Blues cannot win. That is the consensus of some after the Cronulla Sharks workhorse broke down Sunday afternoon at Hunter Stadium.

Well if that is the case, why even show up on June 5?

Let’s just give the shield to the Queenslanders and give ourselves an early mark.

The fact is Gallen has been broken for quite some time but almost always finds a way to get himself onto the field. He is a different beast and will do anything and everything for his beloved club, state and country.

But media reports suggest the inspirational skipper could make a remarkable return this weekend against the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium despite what looked like a crippling injury against the Knights.

It takes something pretty sinister to keep Gallen from walking off the field on his own accord. Yet The Daily Telegraph confirmed that the lock had only strained his medial ligament.

“Gone for a month,” they barked.

“Could be six weeks,” they cried.

“I rang Loz (Blues coach Laurie Daley) to let him know the results of the scans as soon as I got them,” Gallen told reporters.

“He told me he hadn’t even had a sip of his beer while watching the game on Sunday and I was off the field.

“I suppose if you’re going to cop a knee injury, this is the best kind. So he was as pleased as I was when the scans showed there wasn’t any major damage.

“Even though Loz has told me before he wants me as captain of the Blues, I don’t take anything for granted. That’s why I’m so eager to get back as soon as possible.

“Nobody is guaranteed a Blues jersey until the team is announced.”

Now after Monday night football the Blues are apparently in chaos with injuries to St George Illawarra flyer Brett Morris and Manly Sea Eagles’ custodian Brett Stewart.

But who said these guys were even going to be picked?

New South Wales have something they haven’t had for years. They have players in form in all positions ready for an assault on the Maroons empire.

Who says the Blues can’t win without captain Gallen?

Who cares if Morris and Stewart are gone?

The fact that so many have already written off the Blues proves that the mindset of its supporters remains the same. Have no doubt that things are improving and the belief is slowly coming back, but is it the end of the world if Gallen or others are ruled out?

I guess unbridled belief is from a bygone era.

The Blues can topple Queensland.

Believe it.

The Crowd Says:

2013-05-09T09:27:36+00:00

Ben Talintyre

Roar Rookie


The saying there is no I in team is true. Gallen would be a huge loss but there are replacements. Farah needs to play ahead of Ennis. Blues stand a really good chance this year after going so close last year.

2013-05-08T03:07:46+00:00

maximillian

Guest


We have depth in the backrow so can survive a Gallen injury (Hoffman/Watmough/Lewis/Bird etc). The only person the blues will struggle to win without is Farrah IMO. He is an integral part of the NSW attack & his creativity can relieve the pressure on Pearce. He is clearly the best hooker in NSW at the moment.

AUTHOR

2013-05-08T01:43:37+00:00

Curtis Woodward

Expert


Happy with that.

AUTHOR

2013-05-08T01:42:46+00:00

Curtis Woodward

Expert


Definetly Stuart's mindset. Will see if its Daleys.

2013-05-08T00:17:10+00:00

Renegade

Guest


Of course we can still win without him.....the general consensus is that its going to be a hell of a lot harder though without him on the field. I think you're just stating the obvious here, curtis.

2013-05-08T00:02:09+00:00

Sideline Commentator

Guest


Good article Curtis, and I agree. Gallen fit would be the best (for the mental side he is very important) but without we would recover. Who's Captain? Tough call but I'd say Farah. The biggest question is who will be full back if Stewart's out? It's one area our depth is lacking. Minichiello is old and not what he used to be, Gidley doesn't play there anymore (and everyone hates him apparently), and Dugan is off tweeting of something. Some people say move Hayne back and Merrit on the wing. Firstly Uate is better than Merrit. Second, breaking up the Jennings/Hayne combination is a mistake as it's one of the few places we have excelled in recent years, but we might be forced to. I just hope Stewart if fit. If Brett Morris is out too, we might have to have 1. Hayne, 2. Merrit, 3. Morris 4. Jennings 5. Uate.

2013-05-07T23:41:47+00:00

Pot Stirrer

Guest


What im get concerned about is the possibility that the Blues will take injured players into the match for the sake of keeping the same squad. If Morris is out we have Merrit and if hayne is out we can move hayne to FB. If Gallen is out then theres plenty of other back rowers to choose from. The most important aspect for me is to have a 100% fit team.

2013-05-07T22:29:24+00:00

Marldon

Guest


I think the Blues would be better off without Gallen. He is slowing down and his stamina is going (just aging) and who knows where his head is at right now. I don't think we need him.

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