I took a good look at the code’s next generation of stars last Saturday night and I am delighted to report the future looks particularly bright if you are a NSW Blues fan.
The baby Blues thrashed Queensland 30-8, making it three years in a row we have trounced the Maroons’ best, in a game which features future Origin stars.
The result got me thinking: does Queensland have a well thought-out succession plan for their record-breaking Origin team? They are going to need a lot of top class players, and pretty much all in a rush, in the years ahead.
How long can the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Justin Hodges, Corey Parker and friends fly the victory flag as their ages creep over the 30 mark? The Maroons could easily lose seven or eight players in a single year!
Two years ago, Boyd Cordner was captain of the Blues’ Under 20s. Last weekend, he was playing second row for Australia. From that same team, the likes of Dylan Walker, David Klemmer and Michael Lichaa are now making their marks in the NRL.
There might be one or two, but I don’t see the same quality or the number of players flowing through to the current Queensland teams.
OK, we all realise that there are some fantastic young Queenslanders on the rise. Daly Cherry-Evans is probably the headliner and he’ll be a natural replacement for Cooper Cronk at halfback. But who can you suggest will replace Johnathan Thurston at five-eighth when his time comes?
And is there a ready-made replacement for Cameron Smith as hooker or as captain when he can no longer fire up for Origin?
Naturally, there are a couple of old Blues’ stagers but it looks as though NSW will have a considerably younger team than Queensland this year. I am happy to see that and I am delighted there is some genuine class bubbling up from the minor grades.
Changing tack a little, I am still puzzled the league and Channel Nine didn’t try to gazump or at least match the A-League grand final last Sunday. The Wanderers-Roar decider began just after 4pm. League’s annual City-Country fixture kicked off an hour earlier in Dubbo.
Why the league game began at 3pm mystifies me but even so, Channel Nine should have telecast it live to at least get its product out there before the round ball guys took centre-stage.
Jackson Henry
Guest
So the alternative..is playing for a team...who you don't overly rate? Look, it shouldn't be the only factor, but it should be given the greatest weight in the decision-making process.
soapit
Guest
oh yeah, i didnt twig barba was up there now and milford may be soon i still dont think the quality of the individual is as great anyway
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Anyone is better than the Pearce/Maloney combo... take your pick from Soward, Wallace, Mullen, A Reynold, J Reynolds, J Sutton, Gidley, Brooks, heck, even Farah would be a better havlf than either of those 2. Should I keep going? It wasn't the Pearce/Maloney combo that won for the Chookies... it was RTS, SBW, JWH and SKD that had it won for them. The rise of the 3 letter initals. Note that while Maloney/Pearce are doing rather well this year, the chookies are losing because the 3 letter inital guys aren't...
TGGOA
Guest
Throw in GI, Cherry, some old heads Myles, Thaiday and maybe Izzy Folau into the mix, 2016/2017 looks pretty good.
hindsight
Guest
I think we've (Qld) always struggled in junior rep matches against NSW. This has occured for a variety of reasons but mainly because; number of players to choose from (smaller), teams in local competition, intensity within those games & distance. Our players generally mature later and after making their NRL debut so don't peak as early as their counterparts in NSW. I've also noticed in the NSW juniors, because of the intense competition for scholarships/contacts, is the individualism! This individualism ultimately affects a team's performance particular at SOO level.
Jackson Henry
Guest
Yep. Thanks so much for that, Fletch.
Jackson Henry
Guest
I know you like your figures, and there's certainly a central place for them, but in the end I tend to trust what I see in front of me. There's certain indicators that demonstrate potential, mental toughness, and a whole host of other things that define greatness - which don't overly get reflected in player 'worth'. One of the main ones is 'clutch performers' - who stands up in the big games and in the big moments. The other is leadership - who can lead a team by themselves and make those around them better.
V.O.R.
Guest
Soapit, there is still a vast amount of potential improvement in the Emergers. Whether thay match the feats of a side that has dominated 8-0 the odds are that you are probably right...let's hope so for NSW.
V.O.R.
Guest
Broncos future.....perhaps
soapit
Guest
you guys are kidding urselves if you think there wont be a drop when these guys run out instead of your current list. having said that there does seem to be a succession plan. i just dont think its possible to really ever succeed this current team. what they've achieved is unique.
soapit
Guest
a combination is usually built through playing together as opposed to having talented individuals
Gaz
Guest
QAS EMERGING ORIGIN SQUAD 2014 Ben Barba (Brisbane Broncos) Justin O’Neill (Melbourne Storm) Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm) Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights) Edrick Lee (Canberra Raiders) Anthony Milford (Canberra Raiders) Martin Kennedy (Brisbane Broncos) Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters) Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters) Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights) Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters) Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys) Brenton Lawrence (Manly Sea Eagles) James Segeyaro (Penrith Panthers)
peeeko
Roar Guru
darius boyd plays in a different position, so does brent tate
Scrubbit
Guest
1. Inglis (only 27), Barba back up 2. Boyd, Moga back up 3. Gagai, leutele back up 4. Chambers, oneil back up 5. Vidot, Lee back up 6. Milford, Norman back up 7. DCE, Hunt back up 8. McGuire, Kennedy back up 9. Friend/McCoullough 10. K. Sims, Caleb Timu back up 11. McQueen, Teo back up (napa if he leaves for French rugby) 12. Papalii, Guerra back up 13. Gillett, Oates back up Other mentionables and possibilities: K Hunt at 6 I Falou at 1 or centre Luke Keary depending on eligibility David Hala Segeyaro Dunamis Lui The other Falou Doesn't look too shabby to me. And if its a combination you're looking for then a spine of barba hunt Milford and McCoullough who will all probably still be playing at broncos isn't too shabby. My ideal team in 4 years: 1: GI 2: Boyd 3: Gagai 4: Falou(assuming he comes back after the WC) 5: Vidot 6: K Hunt (assuming his up to it) 7: DCE 8: McGuire 9: McCoullough (probably a little bias here) 10: K. Sims 11: McQueen 12: Papalii 13: Gillett 14: Napa 15: Timu (absolute freak) 16: Kennedy 17: Guerra
V.O.R.
Guest
Scott, Inglis or Falou at the back? and can QLD expect Karmichael Hunt back? All of a sudden QLD origin stocks don't look too shabby.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
VOR You forgot the best one! I will give you a tip. He plays fullback for the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Jackson Mate Im sorry to tell you that Benny Hunt is worth about 300k and DCE is worth $1m and Cronk $650k.
V.O.R.
Guest
In his wildest dreams he could never imagined the collateral damage that would come from pulling that pin ;)
V.O.R.
Guest
Milford, Barba, Hunt, McCullough....not a bad combo for starters
hindsight
Guest
All the Qld coach has to do is replay the 2000 NSW Team post try cellebration when Flecher threw a grenade.