Let me start this by saying I don’t think Queensland fear any side that NSW can put on the park.
But I do believe there are players they would prefer not to see in the sky blue this year. As a Queensland fan, here are my top players I hope the Blues don’t pick.
James Tedesco
He’s lightning quick, has slick hands, reads the game fantastically and is downright dangerous.
I know he won’t be fit for Origin 1, but Queensland will be happy if he doesn’t pull on a Blue jersey at all.
Matt Moylan
He’s just class and reminds me so much of Darren Lockyer. Even if they were both fit, you would just find a place for both Tedesco and Matt Moylan.
James Roberts
He is quick and pace like that can burn you very easily. If the Blues were smart they would get him on the park and give him early ball with space. He can hurt Queensland.
Michael Jennings
For the past few years, every time Jennings gets the ball my Queensland mates and I get nervous. He’s quick and evasive and can easily cause us trouble.
Bryce Cartwright
Freakishly talented, he will offer us a mistake or two but so do players like Greg Bird – without Cartwright’s brilliant upside. He can offload, break tackles, pass, kick, fend, there is very little he can’t do.
Wade Graham
Tough. Last year when the Cowboys flogged the Sharks in the semis Graham was the only Sharks player on the same level as the Cowboys. He plays fast and hard and tough.
Of these six players I’ve chosen, five are yet to play Origin – which is a bonus. They don’t have the baggage of previous series losses. Aside from Cartwright, the debutants are all 23-25 years old and definitely not too young for Origin.
And they are all good attacking players something the Blues have struggled with in recent years outside of Jarryd Hayne. They don’t have a Johnathan Thurston so they need to compensate in other areas with these skillful and attacking players.
These are the players that would concern me most as a Queenslander. Having said that I at most three of these six will picked. Jennings will be in, plus Cartwright and maybe Moylan.
Keen to hear everyone else’s thoughts.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
You really are determined to prove Adam Reynolds is the best player to walk the face of the earth. I really just wrote about Reynolds because I really wanted to use the word envisage. On the other facts you obviously didn't check your facts (no need to shout with caps lock either) about James Roberts on defense. As far as Wade Graham goes, like I said Josh Jackson and Greg Bird are a similar size. A few cm shorter and weight of 99kg and 102kg each. Pretty similar size to Graham and both play Origin. So you're right about Reynolds injury and I'm right about Roberts defense and Wade Graham's size. 2-1 victory which will be like QLD in Origin regardless of whether or not your hero Reynolds plays...
3 Hats
Guest
I just think Reyno should be rewarded for his efforts but Fulton and Daley are Souths HATER'S
3 Hats
Guest
Reynolds did not miss 1 game injured till that Grub James Graham took him out illegally. Then a broken Jaw, an accident. He has missed 2 games in total due to suspension. So out of a total of 115 games since his debut he has played in 102 games As above missed 2 for suspension, 6 when Graham took him out, {he was supposed to be ruled out for 3 months} 5 this season, Broken Jaw, {most would have missed 10-12 weeks} So, you can hardly call Adam Reynolds injury prone. GET your FACTS RIGHT, for a change. Adam Reynolds played 102 out of 115 games: 88.7% James Tedesco, Played 61 games out of a possible 116: 52.58% Matt Moylan, Played 56 games out of a possible 102: 50% Hardly a good comparison on your part Michael Keeffe? Wade Graham Personal information Born 25 October 1990 (age 25) Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) Weight 96 kg (15 st 2 lb) Most Forwards are 105 to 110kg.
Jaws
Guest
Anyone but Wade Graham. He's the king of brain explosions. 1. Tedesco (Coote if unfit) 2. Fergusson 3. Roberts 4. Jennings 5. Mansour 6. Moylan 7. ...........? 8. Woods 9. Farrah 10. Tamou 11. Cordner 12. Bird 13. Gallen 14. Merrin 15. Cartwright 16. Frizell 17. J Bird/J Reynolds
Chuck
Guest
Does it matter? if Farah and Gallen are picked, is not like they will get to touch the ball much.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Wow, now THAT'S a man-crush!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'll talk him up. Jeynolds and Aenyolds for mine.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Who in the media talks up Josh Reynolds?
Joel
Roar Rookie
As terribly as Ennis played in game 3 last year, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he missed the first two camps and didn't have the prep he needed and say he should probably be picked. He makes good metres out of dummy half, defends well and is spectacular at getting under peoples skin and can milk penalties from pretty much anywhere. If there is a guy that can get qld off their game plan it's him. If Pearce is to be picked I would put him in the 6, and Adam Reynolds in at 7. Pearce is good at hitting the line and he's quick enough to break through it and cause some problems.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Stop making so much sense and using statistics to back up your arguments.
Joel
Roar Rookie
Cartwright and Graham hitting the edges would be fun to watch, and Peachey off the bench could be the difference in the last 20 where qld have a long history of killing us. Kid runs like Preston Campbell.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Wade Graham is the same size as Josh Jackson and Greg Bird who will both be picked. Roberts has missed 11 tackles this season. Less than Josh Morris, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Michael Jennings etc. In fact less than half of what Dugan and Ferguson have missed. And I envisage* that Adam Reynolds is just as likely (if not more so) as Tedesco or Moylan to go down injured.
3 Hats
Guest
Well,Matth, talking about halfback and Hooker. Daley likes combinations so here is one for you. Adam Reynolds and Nathan Peats both played together in the Souths Juniors Reps from U16s Matthews Cup, U18s S. G. Ball and U20s Holden Cup in which they played in a GF together. Only Isaac Luke prevented them both from playing First Grade together. NSW should consider this Combination. Farrah is a dud and so is Pearce and Maloney. I can't those 2 nitwits Selectors Fulton and Daley will choose them 3!
3 Hats
Guest
Is that all you got Con?
3 Hats
Guest
Well, Michael of your list above, Tedesco and Moylan are good players but are injuries prone. *I can in vintage seeing them go off injured in such a hard hitting game. Jennings just refuses to pass the ball and normally costs NSW at least 2 trys a game. Roberts can't tackle to save his life while he is tall and fast he doesn't have the upper body strength for Origin. Wade Graham is way too small for an Origin back rower, but he is a goer. Cartright is a good young ball player but misses plenty of tackles, but I am willing to give him a go.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Josh Reynolds is a lot like team mate Klemmer - not as good as they, or the media, think they are
Brian
Guest
As a qlder I think josh Reynolds is the forgotten halves man for nsw. Maloney and Pearce can't handle the step up. The biggest frauds, however, are cordner and Jackson, both of whom will probably start.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
3 Hats is FARCing hilarious
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Hey 3 Hats, The list was players who would QLD would prefer not to be picked. I don't think Adam Reynolds or any half from NSW fits that category. He is a good player who probably deserves a go, but I don't think for a second that QLD will be worried at all if he gets picked. He does have a great kicking game, but Origin is a different beast. He may do great or he may flop. I do agree that all of QLD will love it if Pearce gets picked again. Good luck to Reynolds, but he holds no fear for QLD and I think they would be more worried about the players mentioned than him.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I just couldn't find anyone in the halves or hooker that would worry QLD in the slightest. I think Adam Reynolds probably deserves ago but I doubt very much that it will worry QLD too much. He has a great kicking game, but we'll see how it holds up in Origin.