Budding champion Anthony Milford looms as the Maroons’ smoking gun to maintain their State of Origin series domination.
If the Storm’s doctors are correct, Billy Slater and Cam Smith will be out for three to four weeks, while halfback Cooper Cronk’s broken forearm will see him miss up to 12.
This triple whammy for the Storm and Queensland is magnified because all three play key spine positions, and are virtually impossible to replace.
Or are they?
Certainly the Storm is in trouble as they lack the Maroons’ depth. Injuries and suspensions have hit them so hard they have to play their fifth-choice halfback against the Cowboys on Saturday. With Cronk injured, Ben Hampton suspended, Cody Walker having broken down at training and Joel Romelo also injured, Ben Roberts will feed the scrums.
Maroon coach Mal Meninga is blessed he can replace Cronk with Daly Cherry-Evans, who looks destined to replace Johnathan Thurston as the best player in the world sooner than later. But good as DCE is, he has never played halfback for Queensland before and the players around him did not know what he was doing when he came on in Game 1, especially outside men Justin Hodges and Brent Tate.
It is virtually impossible for any first receiver to come into a team cold and expect fluency. Game 2 will be different.
Cam Smith is acknowledged as the best hooker of all time, but if he cannot prove the doctors wrong, he will be replaced by premiership-winning Rooster Jake Friend, who is an outstanding player and will relish the Origin pressure.
Mal has ticked off a new 7 and 9, so what about fullback if Billy cannot defy doctor’s orders like he did in the World Cup? The automatic solution, indeed the media choice, is to move Greg Inglis from centre to his favoured club position and bring in Will Chambers. But GI’s combination with Darius Boyd on the left is crucial for Queensland.
Queensland have just lost three key position players and to cause an upset in game 2 in Sydney and keep the series alive, they need something special, something extra special.
Enter Anthony Milford. He may only be 19, but already he is one of the game’s best players and he is at his best playing fullback. This would be a major call by Meninga and the selectors, but it would give the Maroons a starting 13 that would be very difficult to defend against. The Maroons have their backs to the wall and Milford is simply too good to ignore – they have to find a place for him somewhere, even if on the bench.
Game 1 was a wonderful gladiatorial contest and shares in rugby league have gone through the roof. The monumental effort for the NSW Blues to win away from home at deafening Suncoop Stadium was memorable and they deserve every plaudit assigned to them. They are now $1.45 to win their first series in nine years.
However, Queensland losing their on-field general and tactical kicker after nine minutes seems to have escaped the post-match coverage.
Were NSW lucky? Did the ref favour Queensland? Should NSW have won by a bigger margin than 12-8?
Those three questions are all debatable but here is a fact that is not questionable.
The Maroon calls and general organisation became a rabble once Cooper Cronk broke his arm. Queensland had an astonishing 36 more runs in the final 40 minutes than what NSW did and they could only manage a single try, on the left, the opposite side to DCE. The Maroon right side was in disarray and many opportunities Cronk would have converted into four pointers were missed.
In a nutshell, the Maroons would have won had Cronk not gone off.
This epic encounter finished two tries all and as the Maroons had 60 per cent of the possession in the second half, it is a fair expectation that Cronk’s experience with key players would have generated extra points.
Given the unplanned nature of DCE’s entry, it would have been more productive for Thurston to take control of not only his left side but the right as well, similar to what he does at the Cowboys. DCE should have been just used as a kicker and runner.
DCE was put in a near impossible position and there is no doubt we will see a much more proficient player in Game 2 when he has more time to hone his combinations. The bonus for the Maroons is that Cherry-Evans is a better all-round player than Cronk, capable of doing to the Blues what Jarryd Hayne did in Game 1. It will also allow the selectors to have another forward on the bench.
Anthony Milford should be in the 17 regardless of who is available. The gun is smoking!
Clark
Guest
I am hearing Mcrone could be heading to the Storm. That could be a good signing
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
turbo Most fullback are very poor one on one. Fullback is his position. he is 19 and will get stronger and better.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Scrubbit I dont rate Roberts a first grader but Craig Bellamy sees something in him. I can only judge him what I see on the field, I dont see him in the sheds.
Gappy
Guest
The only reason I was so close was the ref trying to get Qld to win at the end. Plus Tupou will be better in game 2 so will the half combo
turbodewd
Guest
Anthony Milford is great with the ball but is a terrible defender. He is actually quite hopeless. He must be hidden in defense and I dont know why RStuart puts him at fullback. He should be hidden on the wing in defense.
Scrubbit
Guest
This is how much faith the storm have in Roberts. They moved him to 6 had smith play 7 and tohu Harris was setting up the back line.
Scrubbit
Guest
That was my point. Scott hates him and I was just using the Pearce initiative. Also I believe the reason for his form is because of the private training sessions with Langer. I'm not comparing him with Langer I said he was giving off a Langer vibe (because of all the extra training). Also you have to remember this is his first full year at 7 and he was delivering this same form at the end of last year. He was the Toyota cup player of the year for a reason and he could develop into something special given the chance, but I don't think Griffins the right coach for him anymore. Also I need to correct myself. DCE is missing 1.4 tackles less than Hunt. There's also the fact DCE has played 3 (I think) less games, has a very good 6 next to him, and an in form finisher running in at 1. These would all drain on his stats.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Scrubbit Thanks mate. The Storm have actually lost their top 4 halfbacks. 1. Cronk. 2. Hampton 3. Walker 4.Romelo
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
John The short time they had was focused on where they would play only and for DCE it was at 9.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Max what they should have done was just let JT run the show.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sam You are one of these guys you only know how to be negative and never contribute. FYI, Brenton Lawrence began playing rugby league at the age of nine for the northern Adelaide based club Central Districts Roosters in the South Australian Rugby League. He signed with the Canberra Raiders in the same year. He stayed with the Raiders for five seasons, playing under 18s, under 20s and Reserve Grade. In 2008 he captained Woden Valley Rams in the Canberra District Rugby League competition. In 2009 he take on the role as Captain/Coach as he led the Rams to the preliminary finals, the teams highest placing in 10 seasons. Sam, the eligibility rule is: YOUR FIRST SENIOR RUGBY LEAGUE hence my question which based on the above is a fair question I would think. As for Hayne, off course he will be the fullback, but like with GI, the coach has options given he needs to fins a right centre now and we may not want to go with Hopa.
Don
Roar Rookie
Although Hunt is playing well, he shouldn't be talked about in the same sentence as Langer unless describing the gulf between what Hunt does and what Langer delivered for years. Put simply, despite Hunt's solid form this season, if DCE told the Broncs he wanted to shift to Brisbane, Hunt would be tossed out in a flash to make room. Hunt's stats for assists etc are high because he is pretty well the only creative player in the Broncos spine. DCE plays with Foran and Lyon who take a large share of kicking and passing. Hoffman is wasted at 5/8 and offers nothing there. Barba is woefully out of touch. McCullough is serviceable at Hooker. Hunt is all they have to do anything special.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The contract he's actually taking is 450k/season and that's mostly on potential from the Broncos. One might suggest that such recruitment strategies and contract offers are why the Raiders are currently 14th with the worst points against in the NRL as well as having failed to make the final 4 since the 1997 Super League season. Regardless, your original post states that he should have a spot for QLD in the next Origin game, my point is that he has no place in any high level game (especially outside of the fullback position) due to his lacking defence and that there is no way QLD would carry a bench fullback with Inglis and Boyd available to swap in if Slater was injured (or if Slater doesn't play, Boyd available to swap in if Inglis was injured). He may improve in time, but he isn't there yet.
Scrubbit
Guest
I hate to take the Mitchell Pearce fans approach but statistically hunt has been as good, if not slightly better than DCE. He has more line breaks (10-3) more try assists (8-7) more line break assists (6-5) makes an extra tackle per game, misses one less tackle per game, more tries (7-1), and has made far more (although this one shouldn't be counted) kicking metres (377 per game - 213 per game). The only stats DCE is leading him in are running metres (80 per game-67 per game) as offloads (15-5). Once again DCE is definitely better however if we use the MPS system (Mitchell Pearce stats) hunt comes out on top. Definite Langer vibe coming from Hunt. (Probably has something to do with langer training him all the time)
Bee bee
Guest
I dont think he can bare to play against maroon jerseys. It messes with his head too much.
Scrubbit
Guest
There's an error there sorry. Beau Scott is out with a neck injury suffered during origin. Don't know how I got that wrong.
Scrubbit
Guest
So smith a certainty unless he reinjures himself, apparently Slater wasn't far off playing tonight but Storm medicos decided he was too stiff and needs at least 1-2 weeks, Cronk expected to return just before SOO3, however I don't think he will be that lucky. Watmough apparently "this close" to playing Brisbane but was told no by club medicos, DCE out with a sore knee and expected back next week. Hodges to be rested with an ankle complaint, Parker and Gillett to play with Thaiday making a long awaited return. Morris twins to be out for origin period at least with one of them (Or both?) possibly gone for the season. B Morris a dislocated shoulder and a possible fracture, J Morris an ACL AND possibly a fractured knee cap (ouch). Expect to hear more mid week. Cowboys players all fit and firing however after tonight's game Tate had a minor neck complaint which seemed to bother him a bit. Might hear more soon. Haven't heard anything out of shark land. Was expecting some news on Gallens whiplash and "spinal pain" yet they have remained quiet. Lewis apparently A-OK. Other than B. Morris no complaints out of the dragons with Merrin expected to back up. Knights reporting in with both Boyd and Scott expected to back up. Hayne being rested however I've heard reports of a "sore hamstring". Hopefully for footy lovers everywhere his hammy is just that. Sore. Hoppa also being touted as a possible replacement for J Morris (however I don't believe his ready yet.) Rabbits all reporting in with GIs late limping just a cork and is expected to line up along with McQueen and Teo. Roosters having all their stars back up and pulling up nicely. As expected since Jennings and Tupou were well neglected by both NSW and QLDs attacking raids. Guerra pulling up well however was obviously out on his feet Nobody cares about the warriors and they didnt have anyone playing on Wednesday anyway. Same goes for Penrith, however word is Mansour is being looked at as a replacement for B Morris. Woods pulled up at a medico evaluation with flying colours at wests and is expected to line up next week. Farrah was reported to have suffered some ankle concern however I have it on good (maybe a little less than good. Decent.) authority it's just a little wear and tear and he will be fully fit after a couple days rest. Dogs unfortunately losing Morris but all 3 others fully expected to play next week. Papalii backing up as expected with Sticky sweating on the possibility of losing another player or two to the next origin game. (Possible candidates Milford and wighton) Mate Myles pulling through fine for titans with Bird returning from suspension for next weeks clash. Hopefully they can get their season back on track with a win.
Johnk
Guest
That's trues there Scott. Sorry but I don't understand this, if you decide to use an in-form half as one of your utilities off the bench, you would AT LEAST train him in the event that one of the starting halves goes down. I'm pretty sure they did that for Cronk himself (when Locky and Thrursto were the halves) and Joey Johns back in the day...... Although this may be for another conversation entirely, remember Trent Hodkinson was also debuting for NSW, at least Cherry Bomb had some experience in the arena.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Alex he just knocked back $1m a season. How much do u think Boyd wud get on the open market?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Alex He is 19 mate.