With the 2016 Origin series fast approaching, I think it’s time Laurie and Co. depart with the core playing group that has over seen a run of nine series loses in the last 10.
Queensland took this approach during the Andrew Johns/NSW domination period and have more than reaped the rewards.
Players such as Cam Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis (both starting on the wings), a second rower named Matt Scott and so on, were blooded during the now comparatively small period of NSW domination, along with a shift of a certain Darren Lockyer into the No.6 role.
The last season of the NSW three-peat saw the introduction of a No.7 by the name of Johnathan Thurston and a bench spot for Corey Parker. There’s half a starting line-up still lingering from that period.
Meanwhile, NSW has continued with the carousel selection of players such as the Morris twins, James Maloney, Josh Reynolds, Mick Ennis, Mitchell Pearce, Beau Scott, Michael Jennings, Josh Dugan, Will Hopoate, Trent Hodkinson, Trent Merrin and Co., while sticking with Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Robbie Farah and to a lesser extent Tony Watmough, Jennings, Ryan Hoffman and Luke Lewis.
Big calls need to be made starting with Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy and Geoff Gerard being removed with a younger more in tune selection panel.
Ex-players such as Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Danny Buderus, Ryan Girdler, John Cartwright, Geoff Toovey, Tim Brasher and Nathan Hindmarsh are the types they need to install or groom in these roles.
I’d struggle to reply on any decent argument on why this lot should be retained? No jobs in the world would accept the current mediocrity this trio have overseen.
The coaches, halves and general playing personnel have been turned over, why not the selectors?
With a view to an Origin series win in 2018 here is a side I’d like to see in 2016/2017.
1. James Tedesco
2. Blake Ferguson/Josh Mansour
3. James Roberts
4. Jack Bird
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Matt Moylan
7. Aidan Sezer/Luke Brooks/Adam Reynolds
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Jake Trbojevic
11. Boyd Cordner ©
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Wade Graham
Bench
14. Blake Austin
15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
16. Tyson Frizell/Ryan James
17. Andrew Fifita/Shannon Boyd
Notable omission Josh Dugan. Apart from the metres he makes, a lot of them sideways and affects his outside supports.
He rarely passes and has no try assists for the Dragons this season compared with Tedesco who has four plus is equal first in line breaks and is the leading try scorer. It is time to move on.
I know I will be shouted down by Dragons fans but winning player of the series last year after game 3 just doesn’t hold up.
If you watch him chime into the Dragons attack he stalls the outside runners with his pirouettes, crab running, stop starting.
Did I add he can’t pass the ball either with any confidence? He won’t be dumped, but that is just my opinion.
Now we all know a side like this won’t happen, particularly with the old blokes still on the selection committee, but what is the point of trying to keep the series close when we can blood these guys now and prosper long term for the future?
Queensland are not getting any younger, time to unleash some pace and youth.
Personally I expect they will select side similar to this for game one.
1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. James Roberts
6. James Maloney
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Beau Scott
13. Paul Gallen ©
Bench
14. Andrew Fifita
15. David Klemmer
16. Josh Reynolds
17. Josh Jackson/Bryce Cartwright
Over to you Roar readers to voice your arguments for and against.
PS: I started this on Wednesday and heard on the news Friday morning that Bozo has been appointed ‘Chief’ NSW selector while Queensland have done the smart thing and appointed Darren Lockyer.
I’m gobsmacked!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not another cry baby... If you post articles on social media, some people will agree and some people will disagree. That's the whole point of this site. Don't take it personally. If you believe in your opinion enough to base an entire article on it, you should be comfortable defending it. Saying "you do better" is a little bit of a pathetic response to a mostly objective criticism of your article. Picking a mostly rookie side all at once for Origin is a silly idea. Turning around and saying "well I never said it was for game 1 2016" is even sillier.
Carlos
Guest
I find myself head desking every year with NSW selections. I couldn't believe it last year when we selected Hopoate, he wasn't even the best winger at Parramatta. I heartily agree with a few of your selections in particular Peats at 9, Moylan at 6 and Tedesco at 1 and also the big omissions of Dugan, Bird, Scott, Gallen, Hodkinson and Pearce. A few of the experienced players though do deserve spots though. I'd like to see an NSW team that looked a bit like this. Fullback 1. Tedesco Left Edge Radradra / Jennings / Cordner - Those three players together make an excellent combination of size, speed and they've all got points in them. Right Edge Roberts / J.Morris / B.Cartwright - Cartwright and Roberts need to be in the side IMO Halves Moylan / A.Reynolds (Maloney if one of these guys is injured) Middle Woods / Peats / Tamou / W. Graham Bench - B.Austin / Klemmer / Fifita / T.Merrin
B Donachie
Guest
I really like your side for the 2016 /2017 series, a very well balanced side with speed ,size and skill all over the park. if we continue to do what were doing, were going to continue to get what we get, and that's get flogged!! The longer we wait to make change, the longer we wait to hold the Harvey Norman trophy aloft. We cannot expect to grind our way to another series victory like we did in 2014. We have size we have speed, lets use it and look to the future. I also agree that Mat Moylan is a future number six, and the Trbojevic brothers need to be there. Go the Blues. Brian.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Feel free to post your own article anytime soon...you don't mind having a crack at everyone else, GOAT!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why would you be picking an origin side now that's not for game 1 2016? What does 2016/17 mean if it doesn't include game 1 2016? A crummy article just got worse when it's ridiculous predicate is revealed.
cwrigh13
Guest
If they select Maloney and or Pierce I won't watch a minute of SoO.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Cartwright? Geez, why not just give QLD the trophy permanently if you're going to select players like him.
Brett
Guest
Another year of origin, another year of NSW selection issues. I suspect both teams will be the same as Game 3 last year, except a replacement for Hodges and Bird coming back into the NSW side.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
2016/2017, did I mention GAME 1 SOO 2016?? You don't watch much of the Warriors. Hoffman should be playing at Henson Park in his present form, way past his prime. Are you Bozo's son Scott or Brett??
Michael l
Guest
I would love the opportunity for Gallen to be picked for QLD. If he was the sight of him shoving a wrench into the Cronk, Smith, Slater and Thurston combination would be a beautiful sight indeed. It would literally clog their engines and starve them of any creative attacking options.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Rebecca Wilson?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Other than the halves it's pretty average that QLD II
Chris
Guest
Halfs should be Reynolds and Reynolds. This combo ticks every box need in origin. Great kicking in general play, great in 20 kicking, great goal kicker. One of the best at getting a drop out. Back line Tedesco Dugan J Morris Roberts Mansour. Big, strong and experience in big games. Forwards Woods Peats Tolman Klemmer Cartwright and Gallen (Yes Klemmer in the 2nd row). All big strong and play big minutes. Get Klemmer to run at JT all night. Woods Tolman just work horse. Peats at the moment is the best young hooker we have other wise its Farah or Ennis Bench G Bird Jackson Bird and Fifita or Fensom G Bird has experience and can play a few different roles. Jackson is a solid player and should be a future fixture in this side. Bird well the best all rounder we have. Fifita or Fensom, Fensom for defence or Fifita for attack
Wow
Guest
You have about 5 players who will make the a side in your b side and qld b still looks stronger. Your spine is Moylan Maloney Pearce and peats which isn't very strong. The Qld b spine is better than the nsw a spine. Sorry but even the qld pack is stronger. The only position your side is stronger is in the centres and that's not going to win any games
Wow
Guest
If Gallen played for Qld and was regularly straying from his role and overplaying his hand he would be reined in or dropped. Tallis was a similar beast to Gallen but would have copped big sprays from team mates and coaches for over calling those whose role it is to steer the team around. There's a lack of accountability where he's concerned. A big effort doesn't make it OK to undermine his team mates and their roles. That's very poor leadership. Interested on your ideas on who are the gun young blues forwards. Are they current NRL players or younger? Please don't say Klemmer
Peeeko
Guest
C team Brett Stewart Tom t Wighton Bird Alex J Kearny Reynolds Tim grant Ennis Jake t Jackson Joel thom Boyd J Reynolds Peachey De belin Your d team would have Crocker, Aaron gray, coote, rein, Tariq, hoppa, walker, Moses, brooks, moeroa
Peeeko
Guest
Here a b side Moylan Tupou Dugan Roberts Mansour Maloney Pearce Ryan james Peats Vaughan Lewis Wade g Fensom Cordner Fifita Cartwright Tolman
GB
Guest
You can't compare Austin & Thurston, though. No common attributes. Try Austin & Bird - not too skillful, but all heart and energy.
GB
Guest
Have to agree with The Barry, there. The halves have to prove they're the best option. Which just can't be done in a few games. You can't win selection with one or two good performances, but you can lose it with a couple of bad ones. Can see that not all would agree with Daley backing Greg Bird for origin after 1 game. But he did that because Bird's proved himself. I can remember about 9 Origin games where Bird was a strong standout for NSW, playing with fearlessness, impact and energy. Just needs to show he's at full fitness & strength and you'd know he has the ticker & smarts to do it again. If you were to pick NSW's best since 2012, he'd be in the top 3 or 4.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The problem with Origin selections is that it always seems as if being selected for Origin is the end goal. The attitude ought to be that Origin is a testing ground for national selection. That's my view. If you want Sezer and Austin in there, then you would be thinking if they have something to challenge for the Kangaroos or not. Without that context, then Origin selection becomes a coach's pet exercise. Origin is fine but it should never be the end goal.