New South Wales Origin selection question #745: if Blake Austin was playing out his dreamy run of performances in a Roosters or Bulldogs jersey, would the Blues five-eighth position still be up for grabs?
Of course it wouldn’t.
To prove why, here’s a fact. On form, Austin is eons ahead of anything in Laurie Daley’s dysfunctional pack of halves options.
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At just the right time, with the state’s plans disfigured and nobody staking a definitive claim, he has pounced as 2015’s patron saint of playmakers and kicked the door down for Game 1.
Look at his energy. Look at his goose-step. Look at his free-spirited Metallica goatee. After a total of 26 points in last year’s series, this try-scoring pistol from Mt Druitt is the scoreboard accelerant the Blues are craving.
His selection should’ve been guaranteed by a Bob Fulton press leak weeks ago. He deserves nothing less, plus that way we could’ve also moved on to discussing more pertinent topics like Paul Gallen’s arse bruise, or even – heaven forbid – Queensland.
In a logical world, he should be the no-brainer, locked-down-and-key-swallowed, thank-your-mother-for-the-rabbits pick at five-eighth. Bugger incumbents, bugger experience and bugger combinations. Just get him in there and work the rest out later.
But despite a growing groundswell of public and pundit approval, the grapevine tells me his ascension to the rep ranks is just not going to get off the ground for Game 1. And I reckon I can groundlessly speculate as to why.
Unfortunately for Austin, he will miss out because he plays his footy in Canberra.
For whatever reason, when the New South Wales brains trust sits down with a large meatlovers to thrash out a squad each year, the Nation’s Capital seems to be somewhat out of sight, out of mind – and I fear Austin may be the latest victim of this sickening blindness.
Ply your trade in close proximity to Phillip Street in the scope of the big smoke’s agenda-guided media hounds, and you will always have an advantage over any out-of-towners. In a halved contest for any position, the light of the Sydney spotlight will usually see you home. In form like Austin’s, you could be captain-coach.
The effects of this inherent pro-Sydney principle is felt most acutely about 280 kilometres down the Hume Highway. It’s where the Bermuda Triangle of rep-selection exists, a gaping chasm that has effectively excised the Australian Capital Territory from New South Wales.
For those disbelievers, Google Map it, or even just visit – you’ll see there’s nothing there.
Many plucky Canberrans have fought against it. Most have lost. Ultimately, all have learned this lesson: to trump a safe option playing for Manly or Souths at Origin time, you need to be picking up Rothmans Medal points like a lime green Dally Messenger.
Such constant neglect has blighted the Raiders since inception. Sick of watching on as the NSWRL scoured no further than Camden for nearly a decade, the club was forced to go back-to-back in the early ’90s just to get their emerging galaxy of stars noticed.
But since this era of glory, despite a few infrequent returns to pick among some veterans and the odd pissed prodigy, it’s been the destitute days of old. But why?
Sure, back in the days when technology was limited, the world didn’t see a weekend highlight from Seiffert Oval until the mailed VHS arrived the following Thursday. The tyranny of distance from a freezing outpost was a semi-believable excuse to overlook an eskimo to play hooker in your side.
But in these booming techy times of Foxtel, IQ, radio, newspaper, YouTube, word of mouth and smoke signals, nobody is missing a thing. Yet still as the years roll by, many of the Raiders’ finest continue to be treated like rep-level lepers.
Sure, blokes like Terry Campese and Ryan O’Hara were some of the lucky few who made it through the force-field to crack it for a jersey – albeit one each – but what about a bloke like Alan Tongue, a tailor-made Origin utility with proficiency in more positions than Sting in his tantric phase?
Who could forget the unfashionable Luke Davico, the spiritual lead of a high-flying 2003 Raiders pack who drummed up a load of Origin speculation, only to be given an insulting Country jersey and the old ‘don’t call us, we’ll call you’?
Then there was Michael Weyman, widely touted as Origin-wired but repeatedly overlooked in his Canberra days before being offensively offered a debut the first year he left the club for the Dragons. Blatant prejudice.
Should we also mention 2008 Dally M Winger of the Year Colin Best in a 40-man train-on squad? The disgusting treatment of Shaun Fensom by various bodies in the state system? Or should we just add salt by mentioning the bevy of great Queensland success stories coming out of the joint?
If any of these great New South Welshmen were producing this form about three hours up the road, their Origin careers could’ve been lucrative, memorable and legendary. Instead, they are haunted by unfulfilled dreams and a wardrobe of Country memories and squad tracksuits, the kind that can be freely sourced on eBay.
Will this be the tale that befalls Austin?
Someone tell me it isn’t so.
To take down a hungry Queensland this year, the Blues need to look outside the square. Let’s pray they look past Camden.
Slamming Sam
Guest
Wonderful article to ignite the bureaucrat amongst us. Unfortunately, it seems the government worker has enough time to lap the entire internet twice daily, but not enough motivation to reply to such a provocative article. Unfortunately for the Green machine and their fans, the only decent players that have warranted selection have been in the back row where NSW has been spoilt with selection over the past 10 yrs. Doesn't win you games, but makes rep selection tough - that is probably why the team itself has been quite poor over this period.
Greenblooded
Guest
Laurie Daley (NSW) - 87 to 2000 CANBERRA Mel Maninga (QLD) - 86 to 84 CANBERRA Coach 97 to 01 David Furner (Cowboys & Australia) - CANBERRA 92 to 00 Coach 09 to 13 Tim Sheens (Australia) - CANBERRA Coach 88 to 96 Craig Bellamy (Storm) - CANBERRA 82 to 92 Wayne Bennet (Broncos) - 87 CANBERRA coach Andrew McFadden (Warriors) - 97 to 01 CANBERRA Kevin Walters (Broncos) - 87 to 89 CANBERRA I'm sure there is more that I just cant think of...
Greenblooded
Guest
Blake Austin was born in Parramatta and grew up in Mt Druitt....neither are Canberra dude
Ned
Guest
Because act clubs play under the nswrl. And alot of those players who have played origin from the raiders usually come from the surrounding areas that fall in the raiders catchment like queanbeyan (ricky stuart) junee (laurie daley) the only canberran born origin player i can think of is josh dugan
steveng
Roar Rookie
Austin is good but lets see how he goes for the full 2015 season and not just a few games when the top teams are affected by injuries. Maybe we can look at Austin next year if his form continues being as good as it is now.
Greenblooded
Guest
I think Tamou has changed his mind...staying in Townsville I believe...
Greenblooded
Guest
Long time Raiders supporter and I still dont think Austin is ready. Maybe a utillity spot were he plays for 20-30 mins but not a halves spot. Same thing happened to Campese and Wallace a few years back. Campese was in blistering form for the Raiders even got picked for Aus as a Lockyer support role. He put on the blues jumper had an average game (played very nervous) and that was it. Never got a look again...I would not want that to happen to Austin. Put him in the training squad but give him more time I think. If NSW lose this series you can pretty much guarantee that will be the end of Pearce Maloney or Reynolds Hodkinson (who ever is picked). Austin will get his chance if he continues this form for 12 months. If Raiders make top 8 this year it will be on the back of Austins form. So let Daley pick who he wants, cos a lot of pressure is on who ever plays. Next year...bring on Austin and Sezer, Reynolds and Keary or Brooks and Moses or any other halves combo in good form...
Chris Love
Guest
Austin on fire this season but on past selections it won't be enough. Fensom has been breaking down the door for how long? How many tackles does this bloke need to average a game to get a run? Yet guys like Watguts and that grub bird keep getting jumpers with half the work rate of Fensom. Before anyone bangs on about his attacking stats...... Bird and Watguts have done nothing in attack for years.... With Fensom and Merrin the ruck is solid as a rock along side Woods and Fifita in defence.
aelgates
Guest
When joel monaghan wasn't getting up to mischief with canines he played a bit of rep footy from the raiders didn't he?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I think what bunger is getting at is that the Raiders rarely feature on FTA television. Channel 9 sees Sydney and Brisbane as its two markets and bugger anyone else. I'm just glad the Steelers have gone because they would be in the same position.
GTW
Guest
As a Raiders fan, the man is just settling in to learning what a five eighth does. Compared to last year, he could be missing both legs and still be more impressive than Campo and McCrone. He's heading the right way but maybe this year is one year too early.
Irritated By Stupidity
Guest
Don't have try assists as roar stats. Add try assists and tries which equals 9.
Robert Of Bruce
Guest
Tamou is a no apparently
Merve
Guest
That's because its supposed to be State vrs State and the ACT is not part of NSW. OK provocative start and Austin comes from regional NSW but explain to me under the new rules that took them 30 years to fix how come ACT born and bred players will be able to play for NSW. It occurs in no other sport (unless they are branded ACT/NSW) and worse Northern territory players will be able to play for Qld which have zero links....
bungerx2
Guest
This is on the mark and true.
bungerx2
Guest
Be careful what you wish for.
bungerx2
Guest
Not sure who Jennifer & George are or what significance they hold here. But I would agree, we should stop talking about Austin so that he can focus and doing good for the Green Machine whilst watching Origin take its toll. It still takes its toll doesn't it ....???
bungerx2
Guest
Come on! I had to laugh. But it's good to see. The Brickies Bible and SMH don't give em much. I guess that's because they are Sydney papers. It's easy to comment on the Roar --- which makes for great discussion unlike other websites which force you to sign-in, register, have a face-slug account etc.
jd
Guest
Raiders 2016 looking good.. 1. Wighton 2. Waqa 3. Croker 4. Leilua 5. Lee/Rapana 6. Austin 7. Sezer 8. Tamou 9. Hodgson 10. FPN/Vaughan 11. Papalii 12. Soliola 13. Fensom 14. Baptiste 15. Vaughan/FPN 16. Boyd 17. Whithead geez, great backs, great forwards and great impact off the bench..very very impressive if they can sign Tamou up!
Col in paradise
Guest
NSW pick the Bulldogs or Easts halves they can kiss their Origin chances goodbye...out of form and over rated even when in form...