A few days ago I wrote a piece on the NSW Blues players Queensland wouldn’t like to see picked. Today the focus is switched to players Queensland would love to see picked.
Josh Dugan
I know I will get shouted down by some Dugan fans here, but I don’t think Dugan holds any fear for Queensland. If he is picked at fullback, he is a good kick returner and occasionally a dangerous runner but offers little else in attack.
If he is picked at centre, happy days for Queensland. He stifles the attack, lacks position play and can’t pass. He also has a high number of missed tackles compared to other centre contenders for NSW.
More Origin:
» 2016 State of Origin
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» NSW Blues team for Origin 1
» My QLD Maroons team for Origin 1
Josh Morris
This one could be a little controversial as well. I think Morris is a very good player and he generally handles Greg Inglis well in defence. But in a Blues side that has lacked attack in the last few years he isn’t the most dynamic player.
If Morris was playing outside gun halves like Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk then he would be a shoe-in. But outside of whoever NSW pick in the halves I don’t think Queensland lose any sleep over his selection. If they pick Morris it means they have a defensive mindset and that’s a win for the Maroons.
Jamie Soward
I know, wishful thinking and it will never happen again. But we can all dream of Queenslanders running over the top of him. Even I wouldn’t mind a shot running at him and I haven’t played since 1998 with my few ordinary appearances in the second row for my high school team.
Trent Hodgkinson
He did win a series in 2014 with a match-winning try and no one can ever take that away from him. But it won’t happen again. There were a lot of circumstances that came together for that series win that are unlikely to repeat themselves and Hodgkinson’s form isn’t even close to what it was then.
Mitchell Pearce
Pearce is a very good club player and people have at times been overly harsh on his recent Origin form. But seven series losses has to affect you mentally and I can’t see Pearce bouncing back. The pressure is too great. Destined to never win an Origin series.
Robbie Farah
Farah could be playing reserve grade. At his best, he’s played well for NSW on a few occasions but has mostly come up short. At the moment, he’s not near his best. He really wants to be regarded as Cameron Smith’s equal but will never get close.
Greg Bird
Tough, passionate and more than willing to put his body on the line. Suited for Origin in every way except that he makes mistakes and gives away silly penalties. We can count on at least one if not more each game at crucial times. I can’t wait to see it happen again this year.
Honourable mentions go out to Peter Wallace, Daniel Tupou and Ben Creagh.
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