Who would love to see AFL State of Origin return? I would, and so would many others.
This week Fox Sports released the sides that they chose for State of Origin, but as usual I disagreed with them.
So I decided to make my own sides. There will be four: Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and The Dream Team (from all remaining states and territories).
First up is Western Australia.
The Dockers dominate in defence. They have the best defence in the league so its not surprising that three Fremantle players (Luke Mcpharlin, Michael Johnson and Garrick Ibbotson) all made the back six.
They are joined by Darren Glass, Harry Taylor and Harry O’Brien.
Next up are the hard nuts and speedsters. The Western Australia midfield is full of hard nuts like Andrew Swallow, Matt Priddis and Simon Black and speedsters like Lewis Jetta, Harley Bennel and Stephen Hill.
Classy Docker Nathan Fyfe also made the cut.
The Western Australia forward line is the best in the business. Tall forwards Buddy Franklin and Josh Kennedy are there for the big marks, but if they miss it smalls Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Walters and Eddie Betts will kick crumbing goals.
The ruck question: Nic Nat or Dean Cox? John Worsfold has to make this decision every week. Coxy gets the nod and Nic starts off the bench.
Naitinui is in the side as he was born in Sydney but played his junior footy in Western Australia so he is eligible to play for WA.
The line-up:
Coach: John Worsfold
FB: Darren Glass, Luke Mcpharlin, Harry Taylor
HB: Harry O’Brien, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson
C: Daniel Rich, Simon Black (c), Harley Bennell
HF: Lewis Jetta, Lance Franklin, Michael Walters
FF: Hayden Ballantyne, Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts
Foll: Dean Cox, Andrew Swallow, Nathan Fyfe
Int: Nic Naitinui, Matt Priddis, Jaeger Omeara, Stephen Hill (sub)
Check back tomorrow for the Dream Team Best 22.
johno
Guest
Black is a very good player but he would not make my 2013 team, let alone be captain. I support Freo but how can you overlook the AA captain from 2012 as the SOO captain. It has to be Glass. Black out, NicNat out (not enough games this year), Ibbotson out (same), Daniel Rich (only 4 games) out Duffield in, Mitchell Duncan in, Chris Mayne in, and Leunenberger in. This is the 2013 team after all, not the long service award team!
TJ
Guest
Yes, would be great to do stand alone QLD and NSW/ACT sides. Both have enough players in the AFL - about 50 for QLD for instance.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Victoria would still tear 'em a new one! Sorry, but I couldn't resist.
Stavros
Guest
After seeing that team and with Jimbo's additions, I've got a real appetite for SOO now.
Dan of SA
Guest
And currently run now with the NEAFL playing state games as the two conferences. If there aren't enough decent players to represent a particular state they can pull them out of the various state leagues to top up the squad. For example NSW could call on Trent Goodrem (yes Delta's brother...) who plays for Central District in the SANFL.
Dan of SA
Guest
As much as I hate to say it, the WA team would beat SA's arse and definitely give the Vics a run for their money. The Allies team would be pretty reasonable too - how about a 4 pronged tall forward line of Nick Riewoldt (Qld), Jack Riewoldt (Tas), Taylor Walker (NSW) and Kurt Tippett (Qld). Jarrad McVeigh and Kieran Jack (NSW) in the centre, little Jakey Neade (NT) crumbing off the packs...etc. The only problem is they wouldn't be able to generate the same sort of passion as they would if they were representing their individual states. In saying that though, the Allies did beat WA twice in the 90s. Would've had a great team if they could pull everyone together - Voss, Hird, Buckley, McLeod, Carey, Dunstall, Gale, the Febeys, Stafford, Kelly, Brownless, Longmire, Richardson, etc.
Evan
Guest
Great team, Harry Taylor swinging forward would release Buddy too!
Jimbo
Guest
Would have thought Chris Yarran or Garlett would have got a run before O'Meara or even Jetta. Where do Paddy Ryder, Daniel Wells, Mark Lecras fit in the scheme of things.
Stewie
Guest
Wow, that is one sexy team!
The Pivotonian
Guest
Please do all teams, rather than a Dream Team. It is doable. Maybe make it NSW/ACT and Queensland/NT like was run in the early 90s.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I don't know what gives me more of a shiver, the idea of that backline, the idea of a Franklin/Kennedy twin towers (with Walters, Betts and Jetta crumbing, my god!) or Cox and Naita putting lollipop taps in the path of Swallow, Fyfe and Omeara. Ooh, tingly.
vocans
Guest
Yep, Origin for me. How about instead of that All-Oz trip to Ireland?