Good news has been thin on the ground in the Cronulla Sharks camp for the past few years but there might be some cause for celebration when the NSW Origin team is named next Tuesday at noon.
Blues selectors, flattened by the loss of key personnel through injury and likely suspension, are looking hard at Cronulla utility star Wade Graham.
The 23-year-old has been a shining light for the Sharks and can handle the back-row positions plus five-eighth or centre with ease. He is a rugged defender, the very type needed in the Origin arena, and is also a powerful runner with deft ball skills if required.
He is ready to make the step up from club football, with his utility value virtually second to none.
Wests Tigers youngster Aaron Woods was blooded in the Origin cauldron last season and he’ll be the front-runner to replace the injured Andrew Fifita. Woods has an insatiable appetite for work and can be called upon to play plenty of minutes when those around him are being subbed on and off.
Robbie Farah has made a speedy recovery from a nasty elbow injury and will return to NRL action against the Sharks on Saturday. Farah needs some match fitness, but he has developed a fine combination with Woods which can help the patched-up Blues forward pack no end.
Everyone’s a judge or selector at this time of year but I have been frowning at those who are touting Josh Dugan as the Blues fullback. His club form has been scratchy to say the least, and he’s too much of a gamble. I’d be running Manly’s Brett Stewart at the back, with Parra’s Jarryd Hayne slotting comfortably into the centres. He starred there during the World Cup and looks comfortable alongside Josh Morris.
The NSW selectors have also been watching giant Roosters flankman Daniel Tupou and he definitely deserves a chance at Origin football. He is a superb finisher and his ability in the air is second to none.
Halfback has been the bugbear for NSW for too long now and I’ve lost patience waiting for incumbent Mitchell Pearce to steer NSW to a series win. My choice would be the rock-steady Bulldogs man Trent Hodkinson, who has been directing Canterbury’s attack with aplomb this season. He’s a crack goal-kicker as well and a two pointer at any stage of any game could prove the difference.
James Maloney has not impressed at all this season his place should be taken by another Bulldogs player, Josh Reynolds.
My NSW team would be:
Brett Stewart
Brett Morris
Josh Morris
Jarryd Hayne
Daniel Tupou
Josh Reynolds
Trent Hodkinson
Trent Merrin
Paul Gallen
Boyd Cordner
Aaron Woods
Robbie Farah
James Tamou
Interchange: Wade Graham, Beau Scott, Luke Lewis, Tony Williams.
Rob
Guest
I agree and disagree with you there. If you could choose any avaliable 5/8 to play for blues 90% of people will be picking josh Reynolds. He has that aggression that blues have lacked for so long. Pearce is a very good player don't get me wrong on that but has proven he is unable to perform at origin standards. Your only realistic options then become a Reynolds/ hodkinson/ Mullen. You need a goal kicker so take out Mullen and it would be comon sense to match Reynolds with his dogs partner hodkinson. Hodkinson has put plenty of hard hits, smart plays and beautiful kicks up for the dogs in recent years. He's a quality player but he's really been looked at cause dogs lead the table. If they pick him good on him, if not I won't be losing any sleep over it. But josh Reynolds deffinately deserves 5/8
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Great looks who's back under a 4th moniker
sparkles
Guest
You cant pick an origin halfback because he has kicked a couple of field goals. If Hodkinson was behind a beaten pack and a team coming last hed be lucky to be playing first grade. now we have the same situation as with soward a few years ago, there team is on top of the table and all of a sudden straight into origin?
Charles NSW
Guest
Tim, this is a really good team you have chosen. I could change one or two positions but overall I am confident that this team can beat QLD.!
hindsight
Guest
a step up in class is a step too far for this penality magnet
Ronnie
Guest
He needs to get out of the shire and play under a coach that cand give him the direction that he needs. Storm, Dogs, Bunnies spring to mind, then he might develop into a true Origin class player. However, it is his possible involvement with drugs at the shonkies that worries me and until cleared, neither he nor any other 2010 Cronulla player ought to be given representative honours.
Rob G
Guest
Don't bring the loser sharks mentality to NSW please.
Jake
Guest
Almus, I won't pull you up on your spelling, but only because your team selections are way worse! Hoffman at prop?!? Are you serious mate? Also, you have the 'Mories' brothers around the wrong way; Josh is a 3/4, Brett is the winger.
turbodewd
Guest
Well, what does that make Jamal Idris? Jamal crunched Beau on sunday and Beau was moving very very slowly for a minute there...
hunter@png
Guest
beau scott is must, the guy is killer!
Julian King
Roar Guru
There's a lot to like about Graham. Strong, versatile, good hands and a crack defender. At 23, I suspect when he gets his chance, he'll be a mainstay of the side for years to come.
Ronnie
Guest
We are really scraping the bottom of the barrel when we start looking to the team most likely to win the wooden spoon for players for the blues. Surely there must be someone used to winning that we can find.
Chrizoh
Guest
I agreed with your selection but I think Maloney and Pearce are better on the halves.I think they should replace Robbie(Farah)with Ennis.
Ronnie
Guest
So we want to select another shonky under the suspicion of being a drug cheat. Fine example that is.
Ronnie
Guest
They stand a chance of getting beaten 80-0 with him.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
IMO No way! But if a Jamie Buhrer or Steve Turner can recently get picked, then anyone can.
langerthebronco
Guest
The best Centre Pairing for NSW after GASNIR/COOPER. I always wanted C LAWRANCE to partner J MORIS as NSW centres but he never became the player I thought he would be.
Almus
Guest
My Team 1.J Hayne 2.J Mories 3.M Jenings 4.B mories 5.D Tupou 6.J Reynolds 7.T Hodkinson (GK) 8.A Woods 9.R Farrah 10.R Hofman 11.L Lewis 12.B Cordner 13.P Gallen (C) Interchange 14.T Merrien 15.W Graham 16.A Watmoh 17.J Idris
Western Fuglie
Guest
Yeah not a bad one I would like to see Hayne still at fullback n probley hopoate n toupou on that side, call me Jonas but I'm not hope full and what ever halves combo you can come up with in nsw I don't think will be good enough,I pray I'm wrong.
oldtimer
Guest
Tim I agree with your selections, and I share your frustration with the selectors picking the same player group that Queensland beat every year, I am of the opinion that there are players that possess the grit and mental toughness to not give up when the game seems lost, they have a winning mentality. These players are not necessarily super stars but obviously possess a high level of ability to even be considered for origin, I believe Wade Graham is that type of player and I would add Ryan Hinchcliffe, Aidan Tolman, and probably Nathan Peats to that list. I don't believe Tony Williams is tough enough or gives that extra effort required for origin, Beau Scott has been tried without much success in the past although he does put in with effort, if they want a big man with ability pick Jamal Idris on the bench. I can't agree with all the people that blame Mitchell Pearce for NSW failures in the past eight years, although I would prefer Trent Hodkinson be given a go beside his Bulldog mate, however if the mob in NSW fail because of one player they don't have much of a team and should pick a new one and suffer some pain in order to get some winners on board, it can't get any worse.