It’s that time of year again, State Of Origin. Or should it be called State Of Choice in the modern era?
It’s time to get pumped up, pull on a Blues jersey and cheer like hell for the most passionate, exciting three games of the NRL season.
I’ve read a lot in the papers recently about N.S.W having the best chance in years to end Queensland’s dominance.
I agree we will probably field the best team we’ve had in long while and it’s going to be a really close series I think it is a little premature to consider the Blues as anything more than a long shot to beat the Maroons.
For starters let’s can the talk about Melbourne and Queensland’s big three and Jonathan Thurston being out of form.
When you put players of their calibre in a Queensland jumper and have big Mal revving them up like a Skyline at the traffic lights, form goes out the window.
These guys are class, they have been for years and while they might not be in scintillating form for their respective club sides in the State Of Origin arena they have the advantage of being able to pass the ball to a devastating backline.
In the heat of battle they are proven performers and as N.S.W fans we need to respect that. J.T. is going to play with more energy than a Jack Russel with six coffees in him.
Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith will direct a team they know like the backs of their respective hands around with aplomb and Billy Slater will do consistently do utterly ridiculous things that border on the impossible.
They have done it for over half a decade now and ho-hum club form isn’t going to change that.
In contrast to this NSW will more than likely go into this series with yet another halves combination.
I like what I’m seeing from Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney at the Roosters this year but it’s an astronomical step up in quality from the NRL to getting absolutely bashed by a marauding pack of Queenslanders.
When it comes to the crunch the smart money is still on the Queenslandspine to control the match and make the big play when it really counts.
Where NSW can probably fairly claim to have the advantage is in the forwards, particularly the back row.
The Australian back row will be lining in blue jerseys this year and if they can win the battle in the middle of the field it must just be possible that Pearce and Maloney will have the time and space required to assert themselves on the game.
Chuck into the mix that Jarryd Hayne is looking promising and it’s not all doom and gloom.
Heading into this year’s Origin the Blues have still got to be rated as outsiders. But let’s not kid ourselves here, this Queensland side is chock full of players capable of turning the series.
As a passionate fan I’ll be screaming at my T.V. for the Blues every minute of all three matches and I’ll be elated if we win.
But we are the underdogs and will need to play with as much mongrel as we can possibly find and hope we can get just a little bit of luck.
Lou
Guest
Adam S I agree!!! Qlders fight with there heads held high!!! There hasn't been pride in the Blue Jersey for a long time!!!!
Lou
Guest
I think yet again the selectors have made some errors! Pearce will never really be a strong origin player and we seem to still be selecting injured players!!! Come on guys atleast give the boys half a chance and have a look at inform teams! And why they are in form! Oh and Hayne has to go!
up in the north
Guest
Dude matty bore. I am having enohgh trouble with the inept cowbies. The inept NSW SELECTORS. I don't need to stress about the ashes - yet. Bring back Warnie.
up in the north
Guest
I really can't cop this lack of pride crap. adams.. Have you heard of Ray Price? I won't bore you with other gret names. NSW will beat QLD in game one. Then we might be cactus. eh.
steve
Guest
How is it that the team leading the comp and only losing one game can't crack it for any state spots other than the obvious choices (Inglis) who is really a NSW junior anyhow ??? c'm boy's get fairdinkum ! And regardless this is our serie's this year (NSW) that is,I never bet on league but I have had a quid with a couple of smart rs Q/landers this year and I have been telling everyone within earshot long before last xmas that this WILL happen...Mark my word.......Go you blue bludgers lol.
Matthew Bore
Roar Rookie
Hey Symbolsoup and Up In The North, It is an interesting problem the QLD team face with knowing when to retire some of the old firm. The Aussie cricket team is a pretty good example of exactly how not to do it so hopefully you fellas pay attention to that.
Matthew Bore
Roar Rookie
Hey Mango, It was close last year but Brett Stewart scored tries for us and he is not in he side and without Stewart really getting the side and the whole state fired up I think we have gone backwards from last year.
Matthew Bore
Roar Rookie
I reckon our someone might be Reynolds in a couple of years but for the moment I can't see Pearce or any of the 5/8s we might pick as being able to turn a series.
MMADoggzofwar
Roar Rookie
thats money right there Adam S..no pride in the jersey. its as if we deserve to be better and turning up is enough..thats the NSW mentality that its a given because people tell you your that good. BUT SOO shows it has nothing to do with form going in and until we learn to humble ourselves, instill pride not arrogance, then we have a shot. On paper I think we match each of them bar the halves. QSLD also have such class its hard to shut one person when they have up to 5 or 6 guys capable of turning a game in one play (SLater, Cronk, Smith, Thurston,Inglis even Old man Hodges the cranky uncle could do something!) who've we got? Gallen but thats on the back of pure horse power! we need a Lozza, a Johns a Gidley, a SOMEONE!
AdamS
Roar Guru
While the Blues are trying to pick on form and QLD can rely on class and combinations its always going to be hard for NSW to get up. Also, Maroons indisputably try harder. There is no pride in the blue jersey.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
I love being a QLDer
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
Not as big as The Voice.
Johnny Howard
Guest
"The last good news Sydney had was winning the Olympics..." You may have also won last years AFL Premiership...though not sure how big that is in Sydney
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
As do I.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Yep, I'm more than bit worried that we are fielding two halfbacks and no 5/8. Thurston does a job there but never at his best. DCE as utility would add a third.. Not much sign of an up and coming 5/8 either.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Agree with you whole heartedly Will.
up in the north
Guest
If N.S.W. do their usual and have one unsuccesful game and then starrt changing things they're gonna get smashed again. The history is lousy. What is it, something like 54 halves combinations in how many years? Good winning formula selectors. No-one seems to be talking about our lack of props. If it wasn't for cuzzie bro deciding to swear his allegiance to OZ then we'd only have Gallen as prop, and he doesn't prefer that position anyway. It's great we have so many 2nd rowers, and I'm sure Gal will play 100%. But the team needs more than one key player. It seems LOZZA has already lost the opening move. Thanks mustu go to BOZO and the faceless ones I suppose. Now talk about Carney, Is he in form or not. Did he do good last year. So why not stick with him. At least you can rely on him. This whole idea of instant formulas for success is rubbish. Having said all that I do think we only got dusted by 1 point last game. So yes we're close. So don't go making radical changes, I remember STICKY claiming not too many lost series ago that a pick and stick policy was the way of the future. Hum.... QLD for once 'do' look a bit vulnerable at the moment. Well a little bit. And it's not because of mediocre club games. Their weakness now is when to move young fellas into the side and at the expense of incumbents. Hodges springs to mind. Poor bugger is literally on his last legs but still backs up. God it's hard to support N.S.W.
oikee
Guest
You said,, I’ve read a lot in the papers recently about N.S.W having the best chance in years to end Queensland’s dominance. Seems like alot of that going on lately in NSW, reading that is, not much else happens, supporting and cheering has been like finding Truffles in Oxford street. The last good news Sydney had was winning the Olympics, and even then they got the spelling wrong. (Sydernee). Give it up lads, we will probably have 40 thousand Queenslanders turn up just to fill that white elephant you built. Say no more. At least other codes get some use outta it. hehe.
Mango Jack
Guest
Only 1 point in it last year! And Hayne, Carney and Pearce are in better form. My biggest fear is that Daley will not be able to bring the best out of these players the way Stuart did last year. He's a sour whinger at times, but his victim mentality seemed to suit the Blues. I still don't know why he walked away.
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
It came down to a solitary point last year. I wonder what would have happened if Ricky Stuart had stuck it out another season and built on what he did in 2012.