Today, the Queensland Rugby League has gone into damage control, with the shock leaking of the recent selectors panel minutes. Confidential sources have made these minutes available exclusively to the Roar.
Location: A private room at an undisclosed Caxton St venue.
Des: Come on guys, settle down and take your seats. Refreshments and snacks are on the table. You will find you each have a full dossier on the available players in front of you.
Mal: Hey, are those sandwiches? I said I wanted to move us more into the donut and pastry direction this year.
Allen: Mal, please, we have discussed this before. It’s the same caterer we use every year and they are very good at what they do.
Des: He’s right Mal, we all know you’ve eaten quite a few things in the past – more than most in fact – but lets not try to second guess the pros on the ground ok? Here, try one of these, Salmon and Watercress (pause)…(*sigh*)… it’s a type of fish Mal.
Mal: I know they’re good, I was just saying if they added a few heavier donuts and some sort of light pastry it wou… uhmm… wow, that is good. A type of fish you say?
Des: Yes, fish Mal. Now, if you would all open the selection report, perhaps we could discuss the problems we face?
Allen: NSW seem pretty set on Mitchell Pearce, what are we going do do about that?
Des: Mal? Your thoughts?
Mal: How do they make it so light and crem… oh, sorry, Pearce?… Umm, hope they pick him?
Des: That’s pretty much it Mal, do try some of those ones on the side of the platter. And please, open up your folder.
Allen: Guys, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater… Billy’s mum will have a fit if we move him, where do we put Greg? Mal?
Mal: I can’t figure it out.
Des: Well you’re the coach Mal, you should have some idea, it might help if you opened your folder.
Mal: No, I mean I have no idea how they can put caviar on a sanga and make it not taste fishy, it’s fabulous. I have to say these guys know their stuff. Oh, Inglis? It, ahh, It doesn’t really matter where we play him, or if we play him?
Des: Good… and that’s because…?
Mal: It only matters that we have him and NSW don’t? Hey, my folder’s only got last year’s Courier Mail team lift out in it.
Allen: Yes Mal, same as we did last year, thanks for your input and have a great series. Are we done?
Mal: Can I take those sangas home with me?
Tony
Guest
One change to the reserves put Chris Mcqueen in for Gillett.
Tony
Guest
Here is my QLD state of origin team if I had to pick one now. 1-Slater 2-Boyd 3-Inglis 4-Chambers 5-Tate 6-Thurston 7-Cronk 8-Scott 9-Smith 10-Shillington 11-Thaiday 12-Myles 13-Harrison Reserves Teo Mcqueen Kennedy.M Cherry Evans I have put Chambers instead of Hodges because of Hodges recent run of injuries and it is time to start blooding some new players into the team.I have also put in Martin Kennedy because of his recent form with the Roosters.Cherry Evans can play the similar role that Cronk use to play when Lockyer was in the side.
kid
Guest
Dave taylor... was dropped for sub-par performance.
Raugeee
Guest
In 2008 the scores were game 1: NSW 18 - 10 2: QLD 30 - 0 3: QLD 16 - 10. To me that adds up to Qld 56 NSW 28. I don't thin even Bird is stupid enough to mistake that as a for and against victory.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Have a sandwich, here try this one,crow I think it is..
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Im sure the Roosters beat Manly at Brookie on MNF, the halves showed great resolve against Manly at Brookie, Big shot of confidence leading towards selection date, not only are NSW players in form i do think Pearce and Malony's combination, confidence fed heading into Origin makes me feel comfortable, I know its been a good 4 years of anxiety at this time of year. I know the side i selected a few weeks ago is now a little different due to competition and form, I CANT WAIT !!! GO THE BLUES!!!
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Such a shame we can't fit in barba and DCE... no wonder we are so successful when those two guys can't make the team. Says it all really.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Matt Gillette... Severely underwhelming and overawed... But some newcomers are like that on both sides of the border
Jake
Guest
Good team Zaccaa. Will be interesting if that is the teams. It would mean QLD have a more mobile bench than NSW. That doesn't normally happen.
Jake
Guest
NSW are too busy being sore losers to show any respect. I still think of Birds comment after 2008 I think it was. After losing 2-1, he said "we'll we won on for & against". Good work Bird, because after all that is how a series is won.
Jake
Guest
Your just lucky he doesn't play in the forwards. The last thing you'd want is GI making 20+ hit ups a game!
Jake
Guest
Name an example in the past few years of a QLD player having a bad game? They don't. It doesn't matter if they are out of form, they always come good in the big games. The only one I can think of is Dave Taylor's shocker last year, or the year before. But even that wasn't as bad as Mini's shocker! I love it how NSW will find any excuse to talk themselves up. "We have the better forward pack". Good luck to you guys, you will need it. It the teams were reversed, you clowns would be saying "I don't care if QLD has better forwards, we have the better backs, halves and hooker".
Jake
Guest
Okay team, selector. I reckon Harrison will still make it if fit. Mal said he only needs to play 1 game and he'll be there. And I'd sub in Lillyman for McGuire. Still tossing up if I'd rather have Barba or a utility forward like McQueen.
Selector
Guest
1. Slater 2. Boyd 3. Inglis 4. Hodges 5. Tate 6. Thurston 7. Cronk 8. Scott 9. Smith 10. Shillington 11. Thaiday 12. T'eo 13. Myles 14. McGuire 15. Gillett 16. Taylor 17. Barba NSW will be slaughtered again.....
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Yes, the same Uate who has been the worst defensive winger in the comp this year and embarrassed himself in Origin 2012. That's a good idea.
db swannie
Guest
You do realise that the NSW forwards matched QLD last yr.. They will again this yr . The only difference is the NSW NO 7 has the ability of a sack of manure . Hard work by forwards pay off when you can get across the line or maintain pressure by repeat sets. Something Pearce is useless at . But Laurie loves him ,so bad luck.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Mal doesn't need respect from NSW. He's got 7 origins. How many little engraving shields are on that thing anyway? How many do we need for a full house?
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Queensland fans seem hellbent on getting this 'respect'. What does that even mean, it's absolutely ridiculous. The current QLD squad has been called a dynasty, the best state of origin squad ever assembled etc what more do you want? If your hanging out for universal adoration then you're kidding yourself. NSW supporters will always give the QLD players and coaches crap, doesn't matter how many games in a row you win. Get over it.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Qld could pull a NSW by naming a more mobile bench than in previous years......more out of necessity at the moment though. Having two run-on and one bench forward who are equally at home in the front row as in the second (Myles, Thaiday, Parker) helps out. Like your side Z-man, exactly the one I would pick (except I would have Tate wing and Inglis centre) and I am a big McQueen fan and reckon he would go great in Origin. Note to Qld Selectors: Please, please, please don't pick Dave Taylor!!
Rabbits
Guest
No specialist prop on the bench Zaccaaa?