Recently, a Queenslander mate of mine was commenting about the Maroons’ State of Origin dominance, particularly the depth the Maroons have in several key positions.
He was not breaking any new ground.
As impressive as his list of potential candidates for full-back were (Slater, Inglis, Boyd, Barba, Bowen, Norman etc.), it was off-set by the state’s recent injury and suspension concerns in other positions.
So the challenge went out: name your second team for each state from the eligible players not named to play in Origin 1. Fitness and suspension count: so no Brett Stewart or Ben Hannant.
Our teams differed slightly but here are mine:
Queensland seconds
1. Ben Barba
2. Edrick Lee
3. Will Chambers
4. Dane Nielsen
5. Justin O’Neill
6. Corey Norman
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Dave Taylor
9. Matt Ballin
10. Josh McGuire
11. Josh Papalii
12. Jacob Lillyman
13. Dallas Johnson
14. Jayson Bukuya
15. Michael Crocker
16. Andrew McCollough
17. Gavin Cooper
New South Wales seconds
1. Josh Dugan
2. Akuila Uate
3. Jack Wighton
4. Jorge Taufua
5. Michael Gordon
6. Todd Carney
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Aaron Woods
9. Michael Ennis
10. Willie Mason
11. Glenn Stewart
12. Tariq Sims
13. Shaun Fensom
14. Tim Grant
15. Tim Mannah
16. Feleti Mateo
17. Josh McCrone
I admit that personal preferences played heavily in my selections, such as the omission of Jamal Idris from the Blues Seconds (he’s had an impressive couple of games recently but he still drives me nuts) and the inclusion of Raider Edrick Lee in the Queensland side.
But I figured that the NSW selectors have been biased in their selections since Origin was invented so why can’t I?
Regardless, one thing is certain: Queensland’s depth does not extend across the field. In fact, I think it’s fair to say that the next team of Blues would smash the second Queensland team.
Every Queenslander will (rightly) point out that having a better second seventeen doesn’t count for anything when you’ve lost seven straight series but it is still an interesting exercise is seeing who else is out there.
Who would you choose?
Tony
Guest
I will make 1 replacement for the QLD 2nds team.I will replace Jake Friend with Gaven Cooper from the Cowboys.He has been a good player and has been close to making it in the number 1 squad over the last couple of years
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Tony replace Creagh with Stewart and move Sims to 12 and Croker with Wade Graham. That side will beat the current NSW team by 20+points. Idris fending Jenings and Taufua up against Morris. Grant putting a hit on Gallen (NRL suspend Teo so Papali can play..hehe) on his very first carry(thanks Civo for the 7 wins).. Good team
Tiger
Guest
Considering 9 of 10 times Ennis plays all over Farah when they play against each other I'd loved to see that second string NSW side play the firsts..I for one think this second side would win..not as many hero plays in them! (Like the one everyone seems to forget..the one where Farah ran to the blindside..eventually dropping the ball cold..looking for his own glory..with minutes to go in Origin 3 when they needed to run straight up the middle to set for an equalising field goal..the Maroons were shot and extra time would've seen their run of wins finished!!!)
peeeko
Roar Guru
hayne is from sydney
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Stewart better in 07-08???Did he play fb for roos in that period. I thought someone else was playing FB for OZZIE, not Stewart or Slater( he played fb in the 08world)
James
Guest
Wow that second side Tom is better than NSW Original side... That backline is better than the one chosen. As for Brett Stewart and Billy Slater, Billy has had a better career and has been talked about being an Immortal one day,I think Stewart without injury would of been pushing Slater and Qld. IMO Inglis is a better fullback than both of them ATM. And that's no disrespect to either player.
Bearfax
Guest
Well picked Chris. I've seen Milford in a couple of u20 matches for Canberra last year when appraising the Manly signing of Chee Kan. A will o the wisp half, very evasive and sure fire future rep player. Canberra have a beauty there
Chris Chard
Expert
The Raiders Anthony Milford is one to watch for a QLD halves spot in the next five years
Mango Jack
Guest
That's a very strong side. No holes there. Geez we have depth in the front row these days.
Dave
Guest
Haha, clearly a biased manly supporter, getting a little toey? Stewart pushed billy out of the full back role? What that one time? For that one little try? Thats cute. Don't worry mate, just overlook the next 6 years of Slater continuously being selected and scoring tries. And for the record, Slater played 5 times for Aus in 2008 and scored 7 tries. Hands down Slater is the king, most tries EVER by a fullback in the NRL, an immortal just waiting to retire, you just seem like a little cranky NSW supporter. I wouldn't speak too soon either, Slater is part of the reigning premiers and world club winners and could very soon add a second ring. Plus the eight origin series win, and another Australian call up.
Tony
Guest
NSW seconds team: 1-Josh Dugan 2-Michael Gordon 3-Jamal Idris 4-Jorge Taufua 5-Nathan Merritt 6-Todd Carney 7-Adam Reynolds 8-Tim Grant 9-Michael Ennis 10-Aaron Woods 11-Willy Mason 12-Glenn Stewart 13-Ben Creagh Reserves Aiden Tolman Tim Mannah Tariq Sims J.Crocker
Tony
Guest
Here is my QLD 2nds Team: 1-Ben Barba 2-Edrick Lee 3-Will Chambers 4-Dane Nielsen 5-Justin O Neill 6-Chris Sandow 7-Daly Cherry Evans 8-Martin Kennedy 9-Matt Ballin 10-Josh Mcguire 11-Josh Papali 12-Aiden Guerra 13-Dallas Johnson Reserves William Zillman Dave Taylor Jake Friend Lama Tasi
nayfo
Guest
I dont even like slater but please he is better than stewart hands down. Come on people
Johnno
Guest
Qld SOO 5/8 position hasn't been filled by a specialist 5/8 since the fist SOO game. Wally Lewis was a lock for valleys club side captain/coached by the great Ross strudwick, a halfback. Wally couldn't get a run in the SOO because of norm Carr. So Ross made him into a 5/8. Same with Darren Lockyer, a specialist fullback. Same with jonathon thurston, a halfback. So long as you have a brilliant halfback inside the 5/8, it doesn't really matter if the guy playing 5/8 there is a specialist. Qld have had some brilliant halfbacks, Ross hendrick, Greg olliphant, mark Murray, alfie, JT, and now cooper cronk. NSW will always have the depth because of numbers, but it's bloody hard to get that QLD spirit bottled. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
manlyman
Guest
My man! He also pushed billy out of the AUST fullback role! Ps best strike rate in the game and two season out. Go Manly!
Jason
Guest
Kasiano? You mean the guy who plays for the Kiwis? Wow, didn't know they let Kiwis play origin these days.
Jason
Guest
Like Hayne and Uate?
manlyman
Guest
I noticed that you wrote 2008 fullback dally m and other cute stats but no this in 2008 it was Stewart who pushed billy out of the AUST fullback role it was 2008 when stewarts manly destroyed billys Melbourne! Your are based around Melbournes cheating streak my friend! Remember how they routed the cap? Australian backline ring a bell? Brett Stewart also has the highest strike rate in the Nrl (that's scoring tries) and was leading the way in tries untill he was out for almost two.season due to knee reconstructions for both knees. And he has diabetes! But he came back and manly won the grand final in 2011. So I say again which other fullback can boast two premiership rings? Next!!!
manlyman
Guest
Really I thought it was Stewart who scored the most tries for nsw last year! Two at anz my friend! How many did billy score? And I do belive he scored in game three equal most tries in origin last year with boyd who was gifted those tries by uate! So you were saying? Oh he has also won two premierships! Can any other fullback boast that record? Plz inform me! And don't say that cheat billy pleeease!
seven dollers worth
Guest
Hey oikee, just wondering how long have u been a Rabbitohs supporter?