Eight years is a really, really long time in rugby league. Eight years ago, Benji Marshall had just exploded onto the scene, winning the Wests Tigers their first premiership.
Eight years ago, Luke Brooks, the prodigy who will replace Benji leading the Tigers around the park, was eleven years old.
Eight years ago, Joey Johns was still playing.
And eight years ago was the last time the Blues tasted Origin success. Enough is enough.
Hopefully.
In my opinion, the Blues have a good enough team to win this series, as they have the last two years.
Our forward pack is a lot better than Queensland’s, and our backs must put the finishing touches on the big guys’ efforts, which they’ve failed to do for so long.
For mine, Mitchell Pearce is the bloke to lead the team around at halfback.
Winning his first premiership will be an enormous boost to his confidence, and I honestly don’t rate Adam Reynolds enough to think he deserves to be in that coveted No. 7 jersey.
His kicking game is excellent, but he has really benefited from an enormous and dominant Rabbitohs forward pack.
He won’t have that much go forward in Origin, plus he would be absolutely belted around the park.
No, it’s Pearce again this year for me.
At 5/8, provided he recovers in time, it’s Jarrod Mullen. He has been absolutely superb for the Knights for the last two seasons, and he’s all round game is very good.
He has suffered in the selectors scoresheet for his forgettable debut as a 19-year-old, but that is a seriously unfair assessment on him.
And if it’s not Mullen, it’s got to be Todd Carney.
I would also resist the urge to put Hayne in the centres. Sure he two great games against the USA and New Zealand in the World Cup, but are you honestly in favour of dropping Michael Jennings or Josh Morris?
I shouldn’t think so.
My team to break the drought
1. Dugan
2. Hayne
3. Morris
4. Jennings
5. Morris
6. Mullen
7. Pearce
8. Gallen
9. Farah
10. Tamou
11. Watmough
12. Lewis
13. Bird
14. Fifita
15. Cordner
16. Hoffman
17. Sutton
Solly
Guest
1.Hayne 2.BMorris 3.JMorris 4.Jennings 5.Dugan 6.Maloney 7.Pearce 8.Fifita 9.Farah 10.Tamou 11.Bird 12.Lewis 13.Gallen 14.Watmough 15.GSteward 16.Woods 17.JReynolds nsw 2014
Solly
Guest
Pearce at 7 n Maloney 6 for blues, give these boys some thought; a minor p/ship, p/ship n wcc, isn't that enough 4 u? Qld know the blues r comin, their days r numbered.
Taliko
Guest
Yeh! talk the talk boys. When you're ready come walk the talk. I'll be interested to see QLD'ers will kick you off the paddock again Lol!
langerthebronco
Guest
2 tries from nine games means alot of things -the NSW really have no visionary halves -Bad centre/wing pairing -His opositions are superior. (Yow yeh, tate boyd) hehehe. -SOO a different beast altogether He performs so well on club and national duties though.beautiful wonder try..amazing.
Pravin
Guest
Mate um Taufua is next for the wingers but still B. Morris is the most amazing winger. Snake will probably be injured when origin comes around but we all know how much of a gun Dugan is. Carney is the backup for Pearce if he misfires and if they both continued their form will be pretty good
langerthebronco
Guest
Problem: No better halfback Solution:2 5/8s Halves pairing(2 5/8s) in perking order 1:Carney/Mullen 2:Mullen/Maloney 3:Carney/Maloney 4:Carney/Campese 5:Maloney/Campese 6:Maloney/jReynolds (too many penalties) 7:Carney/Soward (defence a worry here) Top 2 options are out due to Mullens injury Best halves combo available is option3. Taufua ahead of Brett Morris (per advice from Yow Yeh) My NSW backline Snake,Hayne,JMorris,Jennings,Taufua,Maloney,Carney. JMoris imo is the only NSW that can contain GI.
Pravin
Guest
My Team 1. Dugan - Amazing Fullback (better than Snake) 2. B. Morris - Best Winger in the game (after Roger) 3. Jennings - Has a similar game to Brett Morris 4. Hayne - Centre = More ball + On the wing, Dugan at fullback and Hayne in centre is betterthan the opposite 5. Hopoate - Deserves to be back in Origin 6. Maloney - Best 5/8 7. Pearce - Give him a go - he is an amazing at club and has potential at rep standard 8. Gallen (c) - Better at prop than lock - Can be an 80 min player (as we saw in 2011) 9. Farah - Better than the rest, he is a good tackler as well 10. Tamou - Has redeemed himself this year and should get some results 11. Lewis - Good second row + utility, amazing skill 12. Watmough - Better than Hoffman, especially in Origin 3 13. Bird - Good tackler and does well with the ball 14. Fifita - Better of the bench - but amazing prop 15. Merrin - Excellent tackler 16. Cordner - 80 minute player in club and is amazing on the field 17. Fensom - Need 4 forwards amazing tackler 80 minute player could prove worth this year INCLUDE IN SQUAD 18. J Reynolds - Good utility but Farah can play 80 and Lewis, Hayne and BIrd can all fill in the halves 19 Hoffman - Did get a few line breaks but is dropping form 20 J Morris - Hayne and Jennings are better and so are Brett and Will 21 Woods - Not the best start to 2014 but average so far I won't put him in my Origin Team 22 Carney - Back up for Maloney and Pearce over J Reynolds NO NO NO NO NO A Reynolds - NO J Sutton - NO They have potential but they won't suit Origin level (Roosters biast) (Souths Hater)
ray king
Guest
MY QLD SIDE: 1.B. Slater 2.D.Boyd 3.G.Iglis 4.J.Hodges/Chambers ( If hodges is still injured) 5.B.Tate 6.J.Thurston 7.C.Cronk 8.M.Scott 9.C.Smith (C) 10.N.Myles 11.C.Mcqueen 12.S.Thaiday 13.C.Parker 14.D.C.Evcans 15.J.Papalii 16.B.Te'o 17.M.Gillett
Raugeee
Guest
Incorrect! Little Johnny Howard was Opposition leader when he lost to Hawke in 1987. With the help of John Elliot, Andrew Peacock ousted Howard in 1989 going on to lose the 1990 election. 1993 saw John Hewson ( lot of Johns about eh?) lose the unlosable election. 1994 was Downer and 1995 saw Howard back for his second tilt. As a QLDer I sincerely hope that you are correct about Pearce, NSW best hope lies with Carney/Maloney and Tupou on the wing.
Rob
Guest
I'm a 21 year old blues and bulldogs fan and te first time I really got into footy and origin was when we started losing 8 years ago, I've never seen the blues win a series! After watching many players play over the years you really need to put the right mix of rookies and expirence into the team. My personal opinion is change the halves and forwards. Players like carney, Mullen, Reynolds (josh and Adam) are been held back by 2 halves not capable of getting the job done. Then up front people like James tamou ( kiwi!?!?) and gallen ( should be playing lock!) are wasted at prop when you could choose between fifita, Merrin, woods, Tolman, bailey, Douglas, r James, grant, mannah! There is so many props to choose from and we waste it again! 1. Hayne 2. Hopoate 3. Jennings 4. J Morris 5. B Morris 6. J Reynolds 7. A Reynolds 8. Grant 9. Hinchcliffe 10. Tolman 11. Bird 12. Lewis 13. Gallen 14. Fifita 15. Merrin 16. Watmough 17. Sutton That is the winning team right there!
Warrior magic
Guest
Very well said tiger. How many chances can sum1 get on the big stage, maybe 2 of those games he had 7 out of 10 performances n that's being nice.. Over rated big time, give Reynolds a few seasons n we will be watching the next johns...
Griffo
Guest
Without Farah NSW wouldn't have even been in the game. Take the mistake and say you were unlucky but you wouldn't have gotten that close with Ennis
Charles NSW
Guest
If fit Brett Stewart has to be NSW fullback end of story, he is the best we have! The two Morris twins and Hayne has to be in there they are Origin players This leaves Dugan and Jennings for also a spot in the backline In the halves you have; Mullen, Carney, Giddley, Maloney, Josh Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, Sutton and with Pearce who I do not consider! Hooker will be Farrah with Josh Reynolds, Giddley or even Pearce who can act as a reserve to him Front Row players like Gallen, Tamou, Fifita and perhaps Watmough should be looked at Second Row players like Glenn Stewart, Bird, Lewis, Merrin, Idris and Cordner Lock depends how the coach structures his team
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
You need Jennings in there.....and honestly...Aku in place of Wolfman....I am a Manly fan through and through but i would rather him on the wing. Plus brett Stewart at fullback.....I wouldnt have cordner in the side as i think there are better players to fill the team and he is very young and will play origin in the future
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
Brett, Glenn, Anthony, King, William, Trex, Buhrer, Lyon, Josh perry, Brent Kite, ballin, DCE.....All have been called up in the last 5 years
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
Brett Only ever ruled himself out for origin in 2011 after ricky called him.....I would have love for stewart to have played in 2011 but i understand that he had only just come back from injury
Jack Henry
Guest
I hope so, but I think not.
Jack Henry
Guest
Agreed. Change the losing culture by dropping our 'captain'. If anyone knows how to lose (and be a disgrace while doing so) it is him.
Jack Henry
Guest
Sorry, I disagree. I'd take Scott, Myles, Smith, Parker and McQueen over any of our blokes - Luke Lewis would be the exception, but he's always sturggling with injury. I get the drum on Thaiday, his footwork his very good, he finds the ground well and he'll give them punch on that right edge, but he's just far too lazy in defence. Why we don't target him I have no idea. Not that Qld needs any help, but I reckon they'd be mad not to pick Guerra instead. But, no, we'll contine top pick Gallen and Pearce. If things don't change then things don't change.
Zaccaaa
Guest
Could go with this 1.Dugan 2. Taufua 3. Idris 4. Jennings 5. Hayne 6. Mullen 7. A. Reynolds 8. Gallen 9. Farrah 10. Tamou 11. Watmough 12. Lewis 13. Bird 14. Fifita 15. Mateo 16. Hoffman 17. Sutton