I’m ashamed to be a Queensland fan, and especially ashamed to be a fan of Johnathan Thurston.
I’ve always admired Thurston’s cool, collected mind. No matter what was said, or how often he was niggled, hit, slapped or thrown around like a rag doll, he keeps calm.
But all that evaporated in the final two minutes of Game 2.
Queensland knew they were down, and that the tactics that had worked so well for Gallen and Co. hadn’t worked for them this game, so JT lost his mind and went after Josh Reynolds like a man possessed.
Shame, JT, shame. You’re better than that. Yes, the refs cocked it up with the Aaron Woods call, but Sam Thaiday’s no try was black and white – he lost it cold, grounded or not. Maybe the Woods call did change the momentum of the game, but it was over by that stage, so why risk a penalty that could end the tiny chance Queensland had of getting the ball back in decent field position?
Thurston’s attempt to provoke an all-in brawl, while somewhat successful, was completely stupid, and being a senior player, not to mention one with a reputation for having a clean game, just goes to show what a sore loser mentality he and many of the other Queensland players actually have.
Maybe their winning streak came from knowing they can’t deal with losing. Maybe that’s the fuel for the passion and dominance they’ve shown the past eight years.
Call it a brain-snap if it helps you sleep at night, but as a proud Queenslander, I say JT should be stood down by Mal Meninga for that behaviour.
Which brings me to my next point, should Mal rest the superstars and blood a bunch of newbies for Game 3?
We all know Brent Tate is out, possibly for good, depending on what he decides. I hope not, I hope we see him back, fearlessly running up the ball on the wing for many a year to come. That immediately brings either Will Chambers or Anthony Milford into the equation.
Thurston should be stood down for a game, giving Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans – the future halves pairing for Queensland – a chance to form something. Mal may even decide to move Greg Inglis to the halves, having won a premiership with Melbourne playing there.
Other than that, barring injuries, I’d leave the side alone. One inevitable loss for a champion side doesn’t change the fact that Queensland have been, and probably still are, the best Origin side in history.
NSW didn’t actually beat a full strength, or in-form, Queensland. There was very little in the game and NSW’s defence, and playing the man rather than the ball, is what won them the series.
I’ll end with a prediction – a 3-0 clean sweep for NSW, with Penrith to finally have an Origin player in Josh Mansour, and Will Hopoate to replace Michael Jennings in the centres.
Cainan
Guest
I wonder if Ben still thinks thurston should have been dropped for game 3. We may have lost the series but they went out like the champions they are and have been for the past 8 years. I also wonder if Ben watched that game 3 and supported NSW because he's ashamed to be a Queensland fan!
bogan brah
Guest
Qld are a bunch of weak cunts wally Lewis is a known kid fiddler
Jimbob
Guest
Separation anxiety... or the realisation that he can't do the job when he is the "go-to" man. Seen it for years at the Cowboys. Overpaid and overrated.
Scrubbit
Guest
It wasn't a facial. It was an elbow/forearm. Facials usually only involve hands pushing down or rubbing into the face. The reason Myles wasn't penalised for the punch is because Tamou instigated the whole event. Referees must penalise the initial act (forearm) of foul play. And anything after that is either placed on report or issued warnings.
V.O.R.
Guest
which would of course include you. The common denominator in both your examples was that the illegal play was instigated by NSW including another...the mystery at how QLD's premier prop got his cheekbone caved in. NSW bought the niggle to bring the game into a dynamic that would work to their strengths. It was no accident ej...naive to think otherwise. I was actually pleasantly surprised that they left the muck out of their play in game 1. It must be something that happens when the GRUB brothers get together.
Brett
Guest
I actually think he still has tantrums at the refs, at least last season anyway. Only JT would know the reasons for his apology.
Brett
Guest
Fair point. Gallen's constant swinging arm into tackles and face palms are characteristic of him, therefore, the same applies to JT.
Brett
Guest
No, I definitely saw it. I've never heard of a 'bicep swing' before, sounds odd. We'll have to disagree on this one.
tigerdave
Guest
Ben get over it. JT looked like a girl when he slapped the NSW player and he looked petty when he elbowed and sort of sheila head butted in the last couple of miinutes, but mate lets look at this overall record. We can forgive him for a couple of minutes of madness. His actions epotimise the difference in the Qld side of old and this one...lack of composure at crucial times. JT had a great game in the second origin and although he missed a lot of tackles in the firat, he put his body on the line and did the enxt best thing and slowed the player down for someone else to clean up. I reckon dropping JT for the third origin will open division and deep woulds in a side that Mal has melded together.
The Barry
Roar Guru
djcooper - reynolds niggled first - but that doesn't make JTs reaction justified given his senior role in the team and the stage of the game. He may have been sticking up for a mate but all it showed was that he was rattled. A better reaction would have been for Thurston to fire Gillet up to get square on the scorebaord. Thurston has suddenly become a lot braver since punching was banned. No way should Qld suspend him though.
Scrubbit
Guest
Also if Tate were on the field he would've known to stay on his wing and the pass would've gone straight to him. Just unfortunate McQueen doesn't have the positional play of a winger.
Scrubbit
Guest
Myles punch (if you can really call it that. my mum swings her purse harder than that) after an elbow to the throat after the tackle was completed no less. I find it strange that everyone just assumed JT lost it and the referees never looked to see if there was anything leading up to it, and who in their right mind would believe the game was over at 6-4 with 7 minutes to go when the ball hit woods from the kickoff?
eagleJack
Guest
Tamou was penalised for giving Myles a facial. Myles then threw a punch but that was deemed ok. Thurston's reaction was way over the top and deserved to be penalised. Some people only see what they want to see.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Look guys and gals, there is no denying what Reynolds did in the tackle to Gillett, the point is, JT should have stayed out of it. If Gillett was hurt, he's a big guy, I'm sure a single hit could've sorted Reynolds out for the rest of the season. The point is that JT should not be allowed to get away with what he did, it's the kind of grubby behavior we want stamped out of the game (See ya Gallen, if that happens). I don't see where I've asked for any other changes to be made to the QLD side aside from those forced by injury. Those calling for Billy to be "rested", are you serious? He was QLD's best player all night, and even though Inglis was about as useful as a feather in a gunfight, he should stay in the centres, unless Mal wants him in the halves. I stand by dropping JT, if a player in my team acted like that and the judiciary didn't act on it, I would. We don't need that rubbish in League, Origin or not.
djcooper
Roar Guru
Glad you're not a selector. How could any of the halves play well last week when both sides were back 5-7 metres.
Silver Sovereign
Guest
QLD born and bred, been watching the maroons since the early 90s. Not a Broncos fan. But QLD have to think ahead, and those 2 wont be the Aussie 1 and 6 for much longer. Slater is slower and injury prone. Inglis much more dangerous at the back. Thurston has had 2 shockers in a row, is a terrible defender with a poor attitude
Nate
Guest
Omg!! So many people miss what's right In front of there eyes look at the video playback and you will clearly see the elbow to gilett's face. JT simply did what a proud origin player would do and only NSW fans sook so much it's sickening. They think the world revolves around them get over it!! the blues played amazing they deserved the origin and yes it took 8 years but practice some humility when winning and losing. This is origin the passion stays on the field for 80 mins only a nsw supporter will keep wining about wether win or lose. If you know JT you know he is the most competitive player there his. He is rugby league!! he is origin!! numbers and stats don't lie
Knightblues
Guest
3-0 soon QLD GRUBS! SUCK IT UP!! sticks finger up at qld
Nth Qld Cowboy
Guest
Well said. It was a terrible game of football due to the referees. There has been very little to separate the teams so far this series but hats off to NSW. They were the better team in game 1 and Qld were the better team in game 2 but they took their chances and deserve to be up 2-0. I look forward to seeing who Qld pick in the 3rd game to cover the injuries. I'd be happy with Chambers taking Tate's wing spot and I think the Gagai is probably next in line as Qld have no specialist wingers that are close to the standard required for Origin. I'm still surprised that the Blues haven't used Tupou more and targeted Qld with cross field kicks. Hopefully this series loss will motivate the Qld team next year.
db swannie
Guest
Hunt over JT,' What planet are you on. You have nearly half the team from the Broncos. & leaving out The Aust No 1 & 6. What part of NSW are you from?. Did you get juicy odd about a NSW3-0 series win .