In last year’s Round 22 clash between the Raiders and the Tigers, I was completely enamoured with James Tedesco.
He was irresistible that night. Fast, dynamic, skilful.
He has long been earmarked for higher honours and it was always a case of when, not if.
Cue 2016 and we see an even more refined player at the peak of his form being pencilled in to wear the Blues’ number one jersey ahead of Josh Dugan. But are we too seduced by form over incumbency?
There’s a tendency to throw the baby out with the bath water after a series loss. Rugby league is a simple game overcomplicated by its faithful.
The whole Tedesco versus Dugan debate reminds me of a few others in the Blues’ recent history. I remember people calling for Brett Stewart over Jarryd Hayne, or Craig Wing over Danny Buderus.
Both Hayne and Buderus were serious Origin players. Both are Brad Fittler medallists. Josh Dugan fits both categories. History has vindicated their selections.
There’s a purity about Dugan’s play. He simply runs hard. At key moments he wants the ball. He thrives in space. And he has size. Lots of it. His State of Origin debut in 2011 pointed to a player with the right temperament to succeed in the greatest of rugby league contests, and fullback is his only position.
In the Dragons’ 2015 elimination final loss to the Bulldogs, Dugan was mighty. In the face of fatigue and injury, he produced a performance that said ‘big-game player’.
State of Origin matches are won by players of Dugan’s ilk. Players who don’t recoil in the big moments, who see opportunities rather than challenges.
This is not to say Tedesco would not do a fine job if selected. But there is no compelling argument that Tedesco’s selection over Dugan would improve the Blues’ chances.
If NSW want to accommodate both, they’re far better served leaving Dugan at one and playing Tedesco on the wing. Forget centre. Queensland used to rejoice when the Blues chose Brett Kenny in the centres as opposed to five-eighth.
NSW don’t have the luxury of picking their best players out of position.
As a Dragons fan I want Dugan to be successful. Players return to club football with confidence on the back of quality Origin performances. As a Queensland fan, I want to be challenged.
If the Blues are to have any chance, Dugan needs play at fullback. Queensland know it. If only NSW did too.
Ken
Guest
Not denigrating Tedesco at all, I think he's going great. But fullback is a multi-faceted position and can be played in a variety of ways. Geez, the ranking of the best fullback in recent years has been between Slater and Inglis - players with vastly different physiques and playing styles. Dugan quite commonly makes contact and offloads, he rarely chimes in as an additional playmaker - Tedesco does and it's a point in his favour. It's worth noting though that on recent stats, with both in good form, Dugan has literally has been doing everything else better.
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
He doesn't have the ball playing skills that benefit the halves. Brett Stewart does, not to mention Brett has something on the field very few players have...Luck, he can find the tryline better than any other player and he can simply pull magic out of his ass. My backline would consist of: 1. Brett Stewart: statistically best defensive fullback, great ball player, try scoring freak 2. Blake Ferguson: Big and talented 3. Josh Morris: Obvious Choice 4. Michael Jennings: Obvious choice 5. Josh Dugan...Great player and a suitable replacement for Morris, plus him being on the wing allows him to return the ball As for 6 and 7... I'm not too sure, obviously Josh Reynolds and Trent Richardson are the best option I believe, never should have changed. Soward and Maloney maybe. 8. Tamou 9. Farah 10. Woods...proved a lot to me last year 11. Greg Bird 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Paul Gallen Bench: 14. Tony Williams, if he is in form, if not Tariq Sims 15. David Klemmer 16. Andrew Fafita 17. Luke Lewis (utility)/ Tariq Sims Other options: Jarrod Corker (Goal Kicker), Beau Scott (Thurstons Nightmare), Kane Evans (Bolter)
JGK
Roar Guru
So Qld win again.
Julian King
Roar Guru
Perhaps, but it won't be because Dugan is at fullback. It'll be because they have no halves.
jimmmy
Guest
I am suggesting that if NSW pick the same team as last year they will get the same result.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Origin is a long way off. Between now and then, injuries rather than form are likely to decide several positions. The forwards were hammered in game 3 last year - yet most seem to want the bulk of change in the backline. When is Laurie going to learn to pick players who are in form, and offer the team positional edges over their rivals? Here's my squad if I had to pick one today. 1. Tedesco 2. Ferguson 3. Jennings 4. Roberts 5. Trbojevic 6. Austin 7. Sezer 8. Tamou 9. Rein 10. Woods 11. Cartwright 12. Jackson 13. De Belin 14. Merrin 15. Fifita 16. Vaughan 17. Dugan (utility)
Julian King
Roar Guru
Are you suggesting that the Blues chances hinge on Tedesco playing fullback? Even he'd be flattered with such high praise. As for Boyd and Inglis playing out of position for Queensland, both of those men spent their early club careers in their respective Origin positions (Inglis at centre and Boyd on the wing). Dugan has no such pedigree.
Heich
Guest
Who will wear the Kangaroo no" 1 jumper this year? is it? Dugan Tedesco Moylan Coote Inglis Boyd Wighton Micheal Gordon Brett Steward
Renegade
Roar Guru
Actually Ken, the biggest splitter is that Tedesco can actually pass the ball..... there's no way Dugan is ahead of him. I'd go as far as to say Tedesco is the best fullback in the entire competition right now.... forget comparing him to Dugan.
JGK
Roar Guru
I wonder if Teddy would be playing at 6 for his club if Bennett was his coach.
Julian King
Roar Guru
Can't agree with Dugan playing centre. If he's not one of the best two centre options, why would you pick him there? He only played there in 2014 because Josh Morris was injured. Dugan at fullback and Tedesco on the wing makes far more sense than Tedesco at fullback and Dugan in the centres. Teddy would be as strong as other wing options.
MAX
Guest
Your preference for Dugan at F/B is franked by none other than Des Hasler who wanted him as a Full Back NOT a centre had he been available.
The Barry
Roar Guru
If you pick Dugan at centre - who do you drop? JMoz and Jennings have been two of NSW best and consistent players over the last 2-3 years. Jennings can be a lazy club footballer at times but he steps up for Origin. My team: 1. Dugan 2. Tedesco 3. Jennings 4. J Morris 5. Mansour 6. J Reynolds / Austin 7. A Reynolds / Sezer 8. Tamou 9. Farah (don't like that but who else...?) Ennis? Peats? Rein? Lichaa? Does Hodgson qualify as a Blue? Peter Wallace? 10. Woods / Fifita 11. Cordner (if fit) 12. Jackson 13. Gallen 14. Klemmer / Vaughan 15. Fifita / Woods 16. W Graham 17. Hoffman / L Lewis / Frizell I've come up with that on the run. I'm sure there's someone obvious I've missed out.
The Barry
Roar Guru
"all they need then is to find a good 7" - that might be the trickiest part of the lot. I rate Moylan but I couldn't pick him after a grand total of 0 NRL games at 6. There are so many unanswered questions. He has to play closer to the ruck, how will he handle the extra defence? I'd liek to see hime at 6 for a season or so before taking the plunge.
Ken
Guest
I could go with that thinking. I suppose it really depends on whether they are having a straight up shoot-out for fullback or whether Daley is certain to include them both and will look for that flexibility. The thing is though, I think the Blues are well served for centres with Morris, Jennings, Roberts, etc. On the wings Mansour stands out, but with B Moz out there's no other star candidate. If they are going to include both Tedesco and Dugan, the wing spot seems the most likely overflow position - and neither of them has any greater claim to wing play.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Round 12 has been named as the earliest he'll be back which is the round right before origin 1 by my calcs, although he could be back as late as round 16. I just wanted it on the record that I think BMoz is still the first winger picked but I wouldn't select him after one game given his last two years of injuries.
catcat
Guest
According to Hoops on Sterlo last night - Teddy has the #1 at the moment with Duges at centre. Both in brilliant form at the moment and a joy to watch. The main reason why I have watched Tigers and Dragons games this year :)
Tom Rock
Expert
I agree Dugan has been in better form since moving back to fullback, but I still believe Tedesco is playing better, and deserves a shot at fullback. While Dugan is a stronger defender I think Tedesco brings more in attack. And as Dugan has shown the flexibility to shift along the back line, it just makes too much sense not to incorporate them both.
jimmmy
Guest
Pick your team like we do. You have to have Teddy and Duggan in the same team. We had to have Billy , GI and Boyd in the same team. These guys are good enough to play anywhere. People are saying you shouldn't pick people out of position? Didn't Duggan play in the centres when the Blues won their most recent series.? If you don't pick Teddy at FB fair enough but don't complain when you lose another series. Go conservative and you lose.
KnightsFan
Roar Pro
The speed advantage that Tedesco has is a huge advantage in putting him at fullback. They have similar size and both are great returning the footy and under the high ball. Tedesco also has better ball playing skills. I would have Tedesco at 1 and Dugan in the centres.