Having picked my NSW team yesterday, today I’ll name my Maroons side. Queensland is certainly the easier of the two teams to pick, with not many positions really being up for grabs.
So who will play for the Maroons and aim to make it nine straight this year?
1. Billy Slater
Debate is raging about whether Queensland should really have Slater at fullback, with Billy displaying some very worrying club form and Greg Inglis showing he is perhaps the best fullback in the comp.
However it is hard to select against the man who has been at fullback for most of Queensland’s winning streak, so Slater gets the spot.
2. Darius Boyd
Traditionally plays fullback under Wayne Bennet, but has played on the wing for Queensland for many years and has done a solid job. No real challengers for his spot.
3. Greg Inglis
Will go back to his original position for Queensland. Though many want him at fullback, Queensland with both Inglis and Slater are certainly a better team.
4. Will Chambers
Has been once again playing solid football for the Melbourne Storm and after playing one game for Queensland last year, and with Justin Hodges not having played enough footy yet to be a legitimate choice for the Origin arena, Chambers should get a prolonged shot at the centre spot this year.
5. Brent Tate
Tate, although playing in the centres for the North Queensland Cowboys, will no doubt line-up on the wing yet again for the Maroons.
6. Johnathan Thurston
Absolutely no questions asked about the five-eighth spot – Thurston gets the role for the Queensland team, like he has for so many years now. Just ask the NSW Blues, they love him.
7. Cooper Cronk
Cronk will play halfback for the Maroons even with young Daly Cherry-Evans snapping at his heels. Cronk’s club form has been worrying for the Maroons to say the least but the Maroons won’t leave him out as they go for nine straight.
8. Matt Scott
Has been a part of the Queensland set-up for a lot of their winning run and is a very solid front rower. Has been playing well for the cowboys and has been consistent in the Origin cauldron. Will definitely be there for the Maroons again.
9. Cameron Smith (c)(gk)
Like Melbourne Storm teammates Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, Smith’s club form is worrying from the Maroons point of view, but the captain for the Maroons will be named again and will be hoping to turn it on.
10. Dave Shillington
Probably a little bit lucky to make the side again but does his job for his club the Canberra Raiders and hasn’t done too much wrong for the Queensland team.
11. Nate Myles
The famous Paul Gallen punching bag forehead will definitely be somewhere in the Queensland side, although may play front row. Runs the ball hard, tackles hard and is a big asset to the Queensland team.
12. Sam Thaiday
It is beginning to seem age will never slow down Slammin’ Sam Thaiday. He has been playing exceptional football as part of a very strong Broncos pack this year and will no doubt be one of the first picked when the selectors sit down to pick the team.
13. Corey Parker
Most certainly the best lock Queensland could pick. Played in all three games last year, although coming off the bench in Game 1. No doubt he will be there on the back of some good club form in the early part of the season for the Brisbane Broncos.
14. Matt Gillett
After playing off the bench in all three of Queenslands games last year, Matt Gillett will be there off the bench once again this year. Has been playing well for the Broncos early in the season.
15. Daly Cherry-Evans
When Cherry-Evans was first picked for Origin, it was thought it would be another case of blooding another young player for the future, similar to Cooper Cronk. However, the next big thing of the NRL is an excellent utility player and will be there again this year to perform the same role.
16. Ben Hannant
Hannant has been there for most of Queensland’s winning streak, although not last year due to injury. Has been playing some very solid football for the Broncos and will add a lot of spark off the Queensland bench in the front row.
17. Josh Papalii
Probably the last one picked for the squad, just edging Ben Te’o and Chris McQueen for the final bench spot for the Maroons. If selected for Origin 1, it will be interesting to see if he can keep his spot for the whole series.
Jo
Guest
Jase mate did you ever heard of the saying, if it ain't broke don't try and fix it? When we lose a series or even one game by a huge margin then we might see the young fellas on the fringe get a go, their all worthy of a shot. Nsw still haven't seen the picture with their wholesale changes every game and loss, tho Laurey Daley is a smart bugger and it won't be long before the games will be tit for tat again which will be great for origin, tho it would be great to see a ten series win just for the record books. GO QUEEENSLAND!!!
Alex Mckiwa
Guest
My comment is Queensland Origin 1 Team line up is very good, all these players they have played this position today 2014 line up position and they won eight ( 8 ) games in a row. Don't even think of change the position, Greg -3 , Slater -1, Tate -5, Darius 2 if you change this position Maroons will be problem. Thanks Alex Mckiwa
Jo
Guest
It's very hard to disclude any of the current members from our qld team of 2013, simply because we one, last year,although I would like to see some young blood come in that will only happen at a series loss or if we loss game one at home. What bugs me most about Nsw losing over the last 8 centuries...lol...years, is that they a pretty short minded, I can remember before state of origin that Nsw used our players in their squad to constantly beat us b huge margins then gloat about a win that was helped by qldanders, added to the fact that the Nsw judiciary and referees are always biased to when handing down a decision to qld teams and players These simple facts is what has bred the passion and hatred for Nsw and their heir achy and it is what every member of the team and qld supporters hold dearly, this is what breeds our success, the always underdog....... QUEENSLANDER!!!!
Jon
Guest
Heres a WINNING team. 1. Billy Slater 2. Darious Boyd 3. Greg Inglis 4. Willie Tonga 5. Brent Tate 6. Jonothan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matt Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nate Myles 11. Matt Gillet 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker Inter 14. Daly Chery Evans 15. Jacob Lillymen 16. Ben Te'o 17. Chris Mqueen
Haydon Wright
Guest
1.Billy Slater 2.Darius Boyd 3.Greg Inglis 4.Justin Hodges 5.Dale Copley 6.JT 7.Cooper Cronck 8.Matthew Scott 9.Cameron Smith 10.Nate Myles 11.Josh Papali 12.David Taylor 13.Corey Parker 14.Matt Gillett 15.Will chambers 16.Gavin Cooper 17.Michael Morgan 9 IS DIVINE!!!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
First up, yep I am from NSW, but it doesnt look like anyone else is going to put a QLD team up... Thanks for your information and views. All going to be interesting when the teams are named
Jack
Guest
Firstly, it sounds like you're from NSW so I'm going to take this opportunity to nitpick as you probably don't know our team as well as us QLDers, Inglis made his debut on the wing for Queensland so his 'original position' would be winger. I disagree with Cronk being out of form for Melbourne. I am no Storm fan but from the games I've been watching, he's not failing to direct his team around and his kicking game and playmaking work has been great. I'd agree that Slater has been off and Smith also to a much lesser extent. I'd have Hodges at 4. He might not have played much this year yet but they're not picking the team this week. He'll be right by the end of May. Someone from my team who hasn't played much this year (thanks to Griffin) has been Ben Hannant. I though he's been great for us last year but has probably only played 40 minutes this season thanks to Griffin's bench rotation/selection policy. I would have McGuire in his spot this year. I would also have T'eo or McQueen in instead of Papalii. Other than that, solid team and article.
Andrew
Guest
slater Boyd Inglis Hodges Tait Thurston Cronk Scott Smith Myles Gillett Thaiday Parker Cherry Evans McQueen Lawrence Papalli Milford/vidot/Taylor/teo outsiders or in mix for injuries
Andrew
Guest
Milford is not a winger if you were picking a winger on form and importantly size it would be Daniel Vidot
jammel
Guest
Agree with everything Bearfax says.
Dallas
Guest
I have noticed that Parker has gotten much leaner and appeared to get fitter looking as he has gotten older. He is a great player, the way he is going he could have another 5 years in the NRL.
Dallas
Guest
Yea they all play on the right at the moment, so does Dave Taylor.. Guerra is definitely pushing for a spot in the 17 but I don't think the other back rowers mentioned have done anything wrong to lose there spots and the Qld selectors have always been reluctant to change a winning team.
Jackson Henry
Guest
Yeah, there's something to that. I just wonder about the left edge though - if memory serves-a-me right Thaiday, Papali and Teo are all predomianntly right edge players. Cooper's one of the few that plays on the left. I think Guerra could play there (as he seeems to be able to play everywhere) as does Gillett, so maybe that's the way they'll go: Thaiday, Gillett and Parker.
olali
Guest
true.
Dallas
Guest
Yea I don't think McQueen will get the starting spot though, he hasn't played enough minutes this year I don't think he would be fit enough to play big minutes, same with Teo and Papali. Gillett has been playing 80 minutes every game this year so I think he would be better off starting and using papali, Teo and McQueen as impact players, I'm all for the mobile bench though.
rvm99
Guest
Barring injury or suspension I suspect djcoopers’ team looks pretty close to the mark from 1-13 and DCE as the utility. Like JH I’m not completely sold on 3 back rowers on the bench but this years rule changes with the emphasis on mobility and speed in the play ball probably necessitates that thinking making it difficult to select Hannant, Shillington & Lawrence with the first two being close to automatic selections in previous years, when QLD regularly picked 4 big boppers which they were able to effectively rotate by the regular 80 minute efforts of the likes of Dallas Johnston & Ash Harrison. On reflection the new formulae worked very well for QLD in Games 2 & 3 last year after dropping Shillington and noticeably Harrison to inject that mobility. Gillett, Teo and Papali are certainly mobile, will keep it tight in the middle when they are on, do hit particularly hard in defence and have had that taste of Origin success. All in all pretty strong options for QLD leading into the series, whichever way the selectors go on the bench.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Bring Sam Thaiday in the squad. He's a fantastic forward in next month's State of Origin.
Muzz
Guest
Bellamy definitely has to do something about his 6.At present, Cronk is the only effective playmaker which limits their attack to one side.Maybe Benji Marshall or move Slater to 5/8.
Jake
Guest
Scott I think YOU will find that he didn't play last year at all. GI & Hodges were the centres in all games I'm pretty sure.
dallas
Guest
I aggree with all this although i think they will go with 3 big front rowers scott/myles and hannant. I dont think there is room for shillington in the team. Guerra would go well I rekon although teo/papali/mcqueen and gillett so I dont they will lose there spots.