For the past seven years as Queensland’s Origin streak went into uncharted territory, the annual tradition in the media, pubs, water coolers and sidelines has revolved around who is the best NSW team to stop the rot.
The themes are who will the halves be, do we go with youth or campaigners, aggression or skill, and do we beat Queensland at their own game or contain their superstars?
For the better part of the decade there has been no such debate north of the border in regards to their squad. This was for the simple reason that when you win so many series in a row the team tends to pick itself.
With a team full or premiership winners, immortals, and proven campaigners it has seen an unprecedented period of dominance.
However now that many of these superstars are heading to the twilight of their careers it starts to open the door for discussion of who will fill in the void when these players eventually depart.
For my NSW brethren who are hoping that the departure of these players will lead to a significant decline in the quality of the Queensland opposition, you may want to look away.
The below are players who are in their thirties with recognised Origin credentials and the replacements are those who have yet to play or made a rare Origin appearance.
The Backs
Cooper Cronk – Ben Hunt
Hunt burst into form last year with a stellar season with the Broncos, will unfortunately be remembered for the dropped ball in the grand final. However, with the Broncos current performances, there is a good chance he will have an opportunity to redeem himself.
Johnathan Thurston – Michael Morgan
In any other era would have walked into an Origin squad by now, his introduction into Cowboys as a first grader saw the team find an extra gear and a perfect halves partner for Thurston. Within two seasons the Cowboys lifted the trophy with a highlight of the match being his last-minute miracle pass to level the game.
Billy Slater – Anthony Milford
Currently at five-eighth for the Broncos, Milford has experience at fullback. His form at Canberra at the back was devastating. He only misses out on the five-eighth spot due to the presence of Michael Morgan.
Greg Inglis – Valentine Holmes
Holmes has had a breakout season in 2015 for the Sharks and has established himself as a regular first grader. Ben Barba has kept him from his preferred position, but he has been relishing his time on the wing, a big factor in Cronulla’s successful 2016 season to date.
Darius Boyd – Cameron Munster
Already the heir apparent in Melbourne in the absence of Slater, Munster has proven to be an extremely talented centre, wing and fullback.
Justin Hodges – Corey Oates
While previously dabbling at second row, Oates has been a revelation in the outside backs with barnstorming speed and strength. He is an unbelievably similar player to Hodges without the evident grubbiness – sorry I am a NSW supporter.
The forwards
Corey Parker – Ethan Lowe
Another unsung hero in the Cowboys squad, Lowe is an absolute tackling and hit-up machine. The only thing lacking is the silver streaks, but that will come with experience.
Sam Thaiday – Dylan Napa
How this monster redhead survived the Queensland sun I will never know but Napa has been a standout for an otherwise disappointing Roosters team.
Matt Scott – Josh McGuire
McGuire looks set for a long career at the top levels of the game.
Though there will be a lot of conjecture, it appears that Queensland through the implementation of their emerging Maroons squads, questionable eligibility rules and a bit of luck and good timing have ensured that there are players ready to take the reins.
While may not achieve the same heights as their predecessors, they will ensure many a series win for the Maroons.
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
damn thats alot of depth
peeeko
Guest
so they are going to win 9 of the next 10?
steve
Guest
I see DCE in a similar vain to Mitchell Pearce, good at club level, not quite good enough for origin football.
Brian
Guest
1. Munster, 6. Milford, 7. Hunt/ DCE (I think DCE is cooked, but he might come good), 9. McC, 14. Morgan. Morgan covers more positions on the bench, and isn't better than Milford as a 5/8 (will be proven when JT retires, I just hope it doesn't cost us an Origin series). Friend has always been overrated, and is in horrid form.
Aaron Fraser
Guest
And Segeyaro
Tom Carter
Roar Rookie
I dont, and neither would wayne bennet, Like the idea of milford playing at fullback at all. He is a well developed half and I think that he should focus on that. Ben hunt has had a bit of a sloppy start to the season. We know why. He needs his confidence back, and then he will be fit for origin.
Griffo
Guest
To be fair, Thurston has played more at halfback. He came in as a halfback and shifted to 5/8 when Lockyer was injured and when he retired because he could and was good enough play 5/8 too. The Cowboys have experimented with Thurston at 5/8 but he just manages the game too well and is underutilised when not at halfback. The way I see it is that QLD and AUS selectors saw what Cronk had to offerand compared that to the next best 5/8 and decided that the Cronk 7 Thurston 6 combo was best. I believe now that if Cronk were to get injured they should not bring in a halfback but 5/8 and shift Thurston to halfback.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Pretty sure you would want Josh McGuire in there.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Yeah DCE is a good player, but he's a fair way down the list. He's had a couple of games in the No. 7 and hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Same when he played in the 2014 Four nations.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Yeah I don't quite agree. Morgan and Milford are both superb players, but both are running players who do so well because they have Thurston and Hunt in their club teams running the show. I think they will both be in the 17 and you could play either at fullback, Morgan in the centres or either off the bench. I think Hunt will end up being the halfback thought as you need someone to run the show. Morgan and Milford can just run havoc then as they do now in club land.
ChubbzyK96
Guest
Sorry, being a picky B.... the general idea is still right tho, all are under 30. 1. Cameron Munster (21) 2. Kyle Feldt (24) 3. Will Chambers (27) 4. Dane Gagai (25) 5. Valentine Holmes (20) 6. Michael Morgan (24) 7. Ben Hunt (26) 13 Aidan Guerra (28) 12. Ethan Lowe (25) 11. Matt Gillett (27) 10. Dylan Napa (23) 9. Jake Friend (26) 8. Josh Pappalli (23) 14 Anthony Milford (21) 15. Corey oates (21) 16 Chris Brevsmuhl (23) 17 Jarrod Wallace (24)
NQ Cowboy
Guest
I agree Don. No chance that Milford will play fullback. He'll be the next half picked to replace Cronk with either Morgan, Hunt, Norman, DCE, or someone else to replace JT when he retires from Rep Footy. Boyd will be the fullback for a while with either Munster or Holmes to replace him. Also: - Corey Oates is nothing like Justin Hodges. - Scott won't be retiring any time soon.
Maroon Blood
Guest
How out of whack? Okay, Oates is 21 but the rest are right?? Doh, how could I leave out Josh McGuire.....eediot. At 26, he certainly makes the team. Cheers!
ChubbzyK96
Guest
Ypur ages are largely ut of wack, not a bad team but Grevsmuhl needs to be replaced by someone else i.e. Josh McGuire. Jm to start with Papalli to 11 and Gillett onto the bench.
josh
Roar Rookie
There was a time when NSW won 3 series' in a row and origin was dead. Queensland has 10 out of the last 11. And have also been developing the emerging players program. The Dynasty won't stop. I heard an interview with Brad Fittler on Triple M before the City Country game. It summed up the NSW experience, to praprphrase; it's just another representative game.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
You're right it is a bit harsh, but he did get a few shots at it and wasn't a success. As it turned out Morgan had a shot and went to another level and still has more improvement left in him. If anything it proves the vagaries of luck and not everyone can translate opportunity into successful outcomes.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
That girl was misquoted, she actually said she wanted a boy in her ....... by friday. The media got it wrong plus they were Bronc's at the time. That's going to get me banned huh.
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
Dont think Boyd, Thaiday and Hunt were reprimanded for their escapades in the pub bathroom
Maroon Blood
Guest
Qld team of under 30's: 1. Cameron Munster (23) 2. Kyle Feldt (24) 3. Will Chambers (29) 4. Dane Gagai (26) 5. Valentine Holmes (22) 6. Michael Morgan (25) 7. Ben Hunt (27) 13 Aidan Guerra (29) 12. Ethan Lowe (26) 11. Matt Gillett (29) 10. Dylan Napa (24) 9. Jake Friend (26) 8. Josh Pappalli (25) 14 Anthony Milford (23) 15. Corey oates (26) 16 Chris Brevsmuhl (24) 17 Jarrod Wallace (26)
Maroon Blood
Guest
I'm no DCE fan but I think you are being a bit harsh judging him by what transpired in 2014. In the lead up to Game 1, DCE was training mainly as a replacement second rower and/or hooker so when Cronk broke his arm after, what, 15 minutes and he was thrown is as the halfback, he struggled as he had no combination with JT. He shouldn't have even played in Game 2 as his knee was bung but the selectors chose to punt on him getting through the game instead of the raw Ben Hunt. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Hunt would have been the better option as DCE's knee just didn't let him play any where near what he was capable of. If DCE gets form on the board, it wouldn't suprise me to see him get another crack at proving himself in Origin, Qld selectors tend to be loyal to a fault. Everyone labled Hodges as "never to play origin again" after his two in-goal brain explosions (2002??) but the selectors gave him another go.....worked out pretty well.