I saw a display last weekend that made me think the NSW Origin team I picked on The Roar was not as good as it could be.
Blake Ferguson, the Canberra Raiders’ man-of-the-moment, was an absolute sensation against Newcastle and looks to be well on the way to winning his first Blues jumper.
Your trusty correspondent picked Ferguson on the wing but I was wrong – centre is the position for this tearaway and I’m more than happy to bump Josh Morris out to the wing to accommodate him.
This guy is playing astonishing football and when he gets the nod from Laurie Daley and Co on Sunday week, I reckon there will be plenty of nervous Nellies north of the border.
He is on a roll in all facets of the game. Try-scoring has never been a problem for him but with his confidence soaring, Blake could probably find it blind-folded, even in the high pressure atmosphere that is State of Origin.
His defence has been first class and he is even adept in the goal-kicking department which makes him a more serious Origin contender.
Obviously, I am excited at the way Ferguson is playing and yes, there is every chance he can be the Blues’ answer to Greg Inglis.
That is a huge statement but when you are in the sort of form Ferguson is enjoying, there isn’t a hurdle he cannot clear, no challenge too great. He’s on fire and if picked, I’m not sure the Maroons will find a way to put him out.
Josh Morris, who plays strictly at centre these days, has all of the attributes and skills to handle a wing spot and I would have no qualms about shifting him there in place of Ferguson.
Everywhere I go, I hear plenty of debate over who will be picked to play five-eighth for NSW with four major candidates putting their hands up – Todd Carney, James Maloney, Josh Reynolds and John Sutton.
All have staked impressive claims for the No 6 jumper but for mine, Carney should be a shoe-in for the gig.
After some injury problems, he is roaring back to his representative form and with the experience and confidence gained from last year’s series, I think he’s the guy the Blues should (and will) pick.
The other point I thought I’d raise in today’s column is about Queensland’s team.
Are the Maroons’ main men at the top of their game as we get right down to selection time?
Inglis, of course, is in career best form but does anyone think that Thurston, Slater, Smith and Scott are ripping and tearing in the NRL competition?
There must be some concerns north of the border as by this time every year, the Blues are wondering how they are going to dim their brilliance over the three game Origin series.
I am not saying they won’t hit top gear when it matters most – I’m not that brave – but there are a few question marks hanging over them as I write this column.
This weekend’s games featuring the Broncos, Cowboys, Storm and the Titans should be watched very closely.
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Haha..Darius Boyd pooping..very funny Mark Gasnier was dragon, Roos and NSW centre right? Fergo??ah that raiders centre eh. QLDers grow when they wear the magic jersey, including the BOYd..
Devout Saint
Guest
Yeah, I would pick Ferguson and Josh Morris as my centres for NSW. I had them pencilled in as my centres at the start of the season.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Morris isnt standing out anywere lately, Furgo is pusing, where's Morris's response ! also Furgo is left centre so jennings or Furgo switching cause's another problem. Left wing if B Morris is injured only for Furgo .
BULLDOGS 4EVER
Guest
Freeman i do really hope they do pick Ferguson who have played 2-3 good games, because Qld will win again NO WORRY
Brett the manly fan
Guest
If everyone is fitt this is my team 1 brett Stewart 2 jarryd Hayne 3 Michael jennings 4 josh Morris 5 Uate, ferguson, Taufau, Merritt 6 carney 7 Pearce 8 mason 9 Farah 10 Tamou 11 Watemough (Idk about Glenn for game 1) 12 bird 13 gallen 14 Gidley 15 Trex 16 Mateo or grant 17 Luke Lewis If Stewart is not fitt then put Hayne to FB and Merritt to one wings and either of the other 3. I am all for consistency but I would not be sad if ferguson take Morris spot
James
Guest
The only way NSW will win if they pick the same team is by the referees whistle. Changes are needed ASAP and Fergosun needs to be somewhere in the team for that X factor.
Tru Blu
Guest
Geez that video clip was amazing. The way this kid beat and threw off some outstanding defenders like Hindmarsh, Dane Nielsen, and Tahu was nothing short of freakish. I just hope he fulfills his potential.
snowmann
Guest
How does moving our consistent centres to make way for a, as you put it, a "potential game changer" make the team stronger, our problem is not with the backs, and definitely wont be the forwards this year, but our halves. If Ferguson can play halfback then I'll support the motion.
Noa Nadruku
Guest
Not sure why you wouldn't want to improve the team, Snowman. QLD not moving Slater to accommodate Inglis, I can understand. But holding firm on two players who have not won any series and have been solid at best, while denying a potential game-changer makes no sense. I would keep Morris and Jennings, personally, but I'd move Morris to the wing to allow Ferguson the centre spot.
snowmann
Guest
Without needing to watch YouTube..answer this question, do either Morris or Jennings deserve to be dropped from their position? When you answer that question, you will know what everybody else is on about.
snowmann
Guest
Back on your sheep Freeman...have a man crush for him, but don't blow your load over thinking he's going to replace JMOZ. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
Noa Nadruku
Guest
Those of you saying that Ferguson has only just started playing well haven't been watching many Raiders games (with no free-to-air exposure, I know why). In 2011, Ferguson would alternate between amazing try and horrendous error. Last year, he changed and put in consistently high-class performances all season. The media has just got ahold of him recently but we Raiders fans have been watching him score tries and dominate opponents for over twelve months. He should be picked for Origin on his defensive abilities alone. Morris was great in Game Three last year but he is a finisher not a creator and he has nowhere near the physical presence of Ferguson. Watch this and tell me if Morris or Jennings can throw a defender off like Ferguson: http://youtu.be/8YqSeQxkqv0
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Seriously, u want to push a proven Performer in Origin out to the Wing to accomadate a Cruiser drinking erratic player who has 2 good games in a row, No wonder your no longer on any of the footy shows.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's the key snowmann...wiz has clearly forgotten the defensive job that Morris did in last years series against Inglis. Centres are one of a few positions where selections are clear cut...there's no way the Blues will be messing with that.
snowmann
Guest
what a dumb statement, guy has 2 good games and now he is the NSW saviour, way to heap pressure on the kid..FFS. Morris was 18th man for AUS and you want him relinquish his spot for a "never-has"?..WING and WING only for Ferguson, plus Morris is the only one who can really contain G.I.
maximillian
Guest
Im happy for the blues selectors to stick with the centres from last year in Jennings & J Morris. These 2 both played well last year & have shown themselves to be Origin material so I dont think they deserve to be dropped. B Stewart is definitely out & B Morris is still to return from injury so there is an opening in the back 3. Ferguson has been on the fringes for a while now & hes in good form so Id pick him at right wing.
fishes
Guest
Everyone should calm down, just cos he played 2 good games in a row?
The eye
Guest
Didn't see the Dogs last week but watched them play Cronulla and J.Moz played disinterestedly.Youd still want him in the team though.Fergo gives us some aggression in the backs a la Brent Tate,but not with facials and elbow wipes but punishing running and hitting.Darius Boyd would be pooping himself
Tru Blu
Guest
I've been saying all along IF he keeps up his form for the next couple of games then yes. Even if he misses out on Origin 1 but continues his good form then definitely pick him for the next Origin games. The difficulty of SOO2 though is it will mean a baptism of fire in the pressure cooker that is Suncorp. Then again I've always said if you ever wanted to see who is an Origin player from the Blues perspective then Suncorp is the ultimate litmus test. Incidentally, Pearce has crumbled every time. Tim Prentice said in his "Give Pearce a chance" article that Pearce deserves a 10th chance but if he fails then give it to Reynolds. Well if Daley was concerned about wrecking Reynolds' development with throwing him in Origin too early then a debut in Suncorp is definitely not gonna happen from Daley' logic.