Daly Cherry-Evans has left the Queensland Maroons training camp with assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister saying Queensland will opt to include Warriors backrower Jacob Lillyman instead should Cooper Cronk be unavailable.
STATE OF ORIGIN TEAMS FOR GAME 1
Cronk is still currently in doubt for Game 1 of the 2016 State of Origin series, to be played Wednesday night, after rolling his ankle at training on Friday.
It was expected that the mostly likely result if Cronk was ruled out of the game would be that Michael Morgan would move from the bench to replace him on field, with Cherry-Evans then filling in on the bench.
However it appears to be the case that Lillyman will fill that role, should the need arise.
THE LATEST STATE OF ORIGIN NEWS
Of course, the Maroons’ willingness to send Cherry-Evans away might also indicate a growing confidence that Cronk will be available for the series opener on Wednesday.
“I would be very surprised if he (Cronk) didn’t play,” said Gillmeister.
“Cooper will do everything he can. We will give him until the Monday or Tuesday.
“The physio says he is coming along nicely, hopefully he has enough time.”
Lillyman has played in a total of 11 State of Origin matches, making his debut in 2006 but playing only occasionally until more recent years. He played in all three matches in 2015, and two of three in 2014.
“I thought Lillyman had his best game for Queensland in game three (last year’s 52-6 win) and was unlucky to miss out,” said Gillmeister.
“I love Jakey. You know what he brings.
“If he gets a chance he won’t let us down.”
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 1
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk*, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Josh Papalii
eagleJack
Roar Guru
He was already flying up for opposed sessions. He wasn't called in for Cronk's "injury". Cronk is fine. That's why he was sent home. That other stuff is for the Woman's Day. Walters has a lot of time for DCE.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Queensland changing the team to suit predicted wet predictions?
madmax
Guest
???????????????? Original name mate!! How long you been around?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Well there's been rumours on the grapevine that the QLD squad mainstays aren't happy with DCE. Whether it's because of his rather poor efforts in the arena or he's just not a very likeable bloke idk, but It's possible Walters only brought him in for opposed sessions (which I believe he was going to do anyway) and was never going to play him regardless of Cronks injury. I know these sort of rumours were flying around the Manly camp like 5 day turnarounds, but with so much smoke there has to be some fire lying around somewhere.
Scott
Guest
Cronk will play so it doesn't matter but anyone other than Cherry Evans would be appreciated
Joe
Roar Rookie
From what I'm seeing from Kevin Walters he is picking his players on what they did in game 3 last year. Some of the forwards are hopelessly out of form, Myles, Guerra to name two and Gagai, possibly Inglis (can't drop him though) in the backs and then he plans to pick another out of form Lilyman because he played great last year in game 3. To be honest I thought Gagai played pretty poorly in Game 3 last year...dropped the first ball that went his way and was beaten in defense twice. This strategy was pretty obvious from a couple of commentaries ago when Manly was playing and Myles was doing nothing but he said Myles was going great and was pretty much penciled in. Meanwhile Shillington who is in pretty much the best form of his life doesn't get a mention. I think he probably thinks either the QLD spirit will lift them all to superhuman performances or he's playing the loyalty card and whoever doesn't perform gets dropped for the next game. Either way doesn't seem to be much of a winning strategy having so many out of form players and I expect NSW to win this first game.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Of course. That's been made pretty clear. Although DCE would only have ever been the bench option with Morgan and Thurston in the halves. But the move also means that they are 100% sure that Cronk will play. The Axe even said as much. Cause I very much doubt they'd be going in with a 4 x forward bench. They've spoken about their mobility all week being their point of difference. Only to put in a very immobile (quite out of form) player, something they haven't done for a very, very long time.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
What Lillyman ahead of DCE means in reality is that Lillyman comes onto the bench, while Morgan and JT play in the halves instead of DCE and JT in the halves and Morgan on the bench.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Relax. I'm sure Lillyman would do a great job. Lol. But it's all irrelevant as Cronk will play.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Funny, I remember Lillyman having a blinder last game, not sure why his name would raise question marks. And which dubious "injury crisis" are you referring to? Last year when cronk was ruled out of game 2? Or perhaps the year before when he was ruled out of games 1 and 2? Or perhaps you're referring to picking a clearly injured player so that a suspended player can be "brought in" at the last minute after serving their suspension by missing a club game (despite training with the rep squad all week)? Oh wait.... That wasn't Queensland.... Gotta say though, loving how NSW has been reduced to conspiracy theories now
eagleJack
Roar Guru
No idea why QLD feel the need to have an "injury" crisis before every series. Cronk will play. But if he doesn't and they go with Lillyman, well sell the house and put the funds on NSW. But even mentioning Lillyman means Cronk is a 100% certainty.
Train Without A Terminus
Guest
Queensland back in front then.
Mad Max
Guest
I can't comprehend not having a back utility on the bench if Lillyman comes in. Can anyone explain why selectors do this and play 4 forwards on the bench??