How many NSW players would it be the end for at State of Origin level if the Blues lost to Queensland on Wednesday night?
Robbie Farah, at 32, would surely be in the firing line. Greg Bird, another player who is in his 30s and has been going around at this level for a long time now, would have to be on the edge as well.
Paul Gallen, the oldest player in the team, would appear an obvious candidate, but knowing what Blues coach Laurie Daley and the powerbrokers at the NSWRL are like they would be very tempted to still give the captain a farewell in Game 3 back in Sydney.
Personally, if NSW did lose Game 2 I reckon that would be the time to make the cut on Gallen.
Question mark over Blake Ferguson. Ditto Michael Jennings. It would depend on what sort of game it was, whether it was highly competitive or a blow-out, and how they went.
Dylan Walker is lucky to be in the team in the first place, but given that he is young he could survive a loss as long as he didn’t have a bad game.
The halves, James Maloney and Adam Reynolds? Again, it would depend on what sort of game it was and how they went. It would probably take a lot to go wrong for either to be dropped.
Daley himself would obviously see the series out if the Blues lost Game 2 on top of being beaten in the opening game, but surely he would be at risk of not keeping the job for next year. Particularly if it ended up a series whitewash.
It has been well documented Daley has a contract to coach the Blues again next year, but defeat this year would make it three series losses in four years as coach for him.
There was a recent suggestion in the media that Daley was guaranteed to keep his job regardless of the result of the series, but I still haven’t seen any NSWRL powerbrokers come out and say that publicly.
James Tedesco should have been picked as NSW fullback for Game 2 since he was back and playing well after recovering from the injury that made him unavailable for Game 1, but Matt Moylan held the spot.
I’d like to see Tedesco there for Game 3 regardless of the result of the second game, although if the Blues win and Moylan plays well I can accept that possibility as being unlikely.
But my wish to see Tedesco there isn’t meant as a criticism of Moylan, whom I’m a fan of as well. I prefer Tedesco as fullback, but hope to see the day when they are both in the NSW squad.
The enforced change to the NSW side caused by the injury to centre Josh Morris probably improves their chances of winning Game 2.
Not because they’re better off without Morris, but because it gets Jack Bird into the 17-man squad on the bench.
Bird is going to be easier for Daley to get into the game than it was for him to get Walker into Game 1 off the bench.
Walker may have played a bit of five-eighth, but he’s a centre. Even at Cronulla they still haven’t figured out what Bird’s best position is yet. He’s just a terrific footballer and could come on in the back-row, the halves or at centre if necessary.
Bird would be much better at filling the roving role Craig Wing used to perform off the bench for NSW, if that’s how Daley wants to use him.
Walker is much better off at centre. He’s more likely than Morris to score a try off a half-chance and NSW are probably going to have to come up with a minimum of 20 points at Suncorp Stadium to be a chance of winning.
Regardless of what the Blues do, though, it’s still unlikely to be enough. Queensland to win.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Not being clever, making a point that picking untried players out of position at Origin level, a level far superior to regular weekend action, a level where NSW has lost 9 out of 10 series, is short sighted. Peachey offers a lot in attack but you over look his defence, likewise Blake. Kerrod Holland is a rock in defence at the Dogs and I don't support either side. Personally they should persist with Jimmy Maloney. He has a desire to win, a good attitude and a great talker. Every club he has been too he has improved. No point playing 2 rookie halves, the balance needs to be implemented gradually. I accept you had the Panther players in no particular order but until Waqa Blake starts dominating against top 4 sides and shows consistency, I would not have him in the mix. RCG, Bryce, Moylan & Mansour, all in the mix. Tommy T should play in the centre's at Manly, pace, strength would be a frightening prospect, and reminds me a lot of Folau and GI at the same age. And you contradicted yourself by the use of FACT. We all share different opinions accept it and move on, I have.
Klee Gluckman
Guest
Sometimes the scoreboard can misrepresent the games. I feel that watching origin if New South Wales need 3 tries to win they cant do it. The first game may have close, but it seemed that Queensland were always going to hang on. There have been plenty of close games over the last ten years, but I feel misleading to state that New South Wales have been unlucky. I actually thought the 2014 series that New South Wales won was probably against the run of play. It just seems Queensland are slightly ahead and even is its not by much at this level its significant. I am confident the Maroons will win this series. I don't think there that much better but enough to beat the blues. They more debate about selection it seems the weaker the team is. There is a difference between Width and Depth and that's the problem for New South Wales. They can replace players and look at something different but are they better. They say that 1, 7 and 9 are the three most important positions and Queensland have it there. Queensland aren't is good as they were circa 2009-2011 but New South Wales are too confused. The best New South Wales teams were coached by Phil Gould and he had a consistent group that he selected. New South Wales need to find a bunch of winners and stick with them. I think the more debate we have about selection the weaker the team is, because who the best in each position is just conjecture, Queensland side is more settled.
Bluey
Guest
Other casualties for me are Gus' pre game dribble, Rabs, Daley, Bozo, Spider cam, and Ref cam
McNaulty
Guest
this Qld side has been old and average for at least three years now.
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
4/6 of those guys are entrenched centers - you're too focussed on the order I placed the names where it was intended to be used as a short list of potential players based on form. I apologise for the confusion. Blake has played most of his footy at center, occasionally plying his trade on the wing and for the record Blake has represented NSW Cup Residents, selected for Fiji, won a couple of lower grade Premierships and played Country last year at 20. 190cm,100kg, quick, skilled, strong - not sure what's so laughable there, he'd be playing ahead of Holland at the Bulldogs. Not sure what can be done for you if you can't see the quality of Peachey especially on the left edge. Moylan and Bird are both slated at club level to be their long term five eighths though the more I see it, the more I like the prospect of Cartwright playing there. Finally Ron, I find it disappointing I have to point out there's an ocean of difference sitting between: A) disagreeing with someone and making a respectful argument out of it and; B) being douchey on the internet because you think it's clever. The point of a place like this is to discuss opinion. FACT
Lord Erebus
Guest
NSW selectors have no clue, clearly. And why not pick "part-time" positional players for Origin. What's happening now isn't working. BTWs, I'm a QLD supporter, who wants more of a contest... and yes, I'm a Panthers supporter, too. For starters, I'd kick Daley, bring in Toovey to coach. How can Toovey not have a job yet? 2017 NSW Squad 1. Tedesco (Best NSW Fullback option) 2. Mansour 3. Peachey (Or use him as the Bench Utility and pick another center) 4. Dugan 5. Roberts 6. Moylan (It'll happen eventually, just do it now) 7. Austin (I know, not his normal side, but he has the skill to do it. Otherwise, what? Brooks? Hahaha...no. And A. Reynolds has failed, Pearce is garbage, and finally, J. Reynolds isn't good enough) 8. Klemmer (Trust me, us QLD guys see him as a genuine threat) 9. Ennis (Who else is there? Rein... nah. Peats... maybe.) 10. Tamou 11. Cordner 12. Frizell 13. Merrin? (risky, but give me a better option and I'll take it) 14. Cartwright 15. James 16. Fitifa 17. Campbell-Gillard
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Queensland stays loyal to their players. The difference between the Maroons loyalty and Daley's in that the Maroons are winning. It is easy to stay loyal to a winning team. Nsw did this when they were in the box seat.
Matth
Guest
QLD played centres and fullbacks on the wing due to a lack of depth, no other reason. You can bet if Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri had been available we would have used specialists. A lot of QLD's apparent tactical master plays have been necessity
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
You don't pick part time centres for Origin. You started your short list with Penrith players. The 3 6's you have slated are part time 6's at best. Waqa Blake would be flat out making an Intrust Cup rep team, let alone Origin. I'd have Kerrod Holland ahead of him. Problem Leviathan if you list a potential side, not everyone will always agree with you, particularly when you name players who don't even play in those positions at club level, FACT!
2017
Guest
If they loose game 2, leave the same team. Don't let Lozza pick the side he should have picked for game 1 so he can retain for next year. 2017 team should be: 1. Tedesco 2. Trbojevic 3. Croker 4. Roberts 5. Mansour 6. Austin 7. ????? 8. Woods 9. Peats 10. James 11. Cordner 12. Frizell 13. Cartwright 14. Fafita 15. Klemmer 16. Graham 17. J Bird
The eye
Guest
You could put it Qld have won 60 % against Loz lead sides...check me on that my stat says played 10 under Laurie for four wins... You take 2 field goals out of the equation and its reversed...but,hey,you believe that NSW would be thumping one of the best sides Qld have produced with Toovey,Fittler or Johns as coach,we're going to need a bigger shovel..
Charles NSW
Guest
This 2nd match Daley has indicated having both halves on one side in his game plan He must go if he fails as I for one am sick of this as a NSW supporter
Charles NSW
Guest
My thoughts exactly Doug!
Charles NSW
Guest
That maybe so but he was the man of the match so it says that he did ok! According to danwain he is a disaster
Charles NSW
Guest
NSW SOO Game 2 will have a major change to their game plan according to Coach Daley He will have both halves on the same side as opposed to one on either side Funny I have said that before with both halves working off the speed from Maloney or with Reynolds kicking game
Doug Graves
Guest
Loz is staring down the barrel of his 3rd series defeat in 4. In fact I'll go so far as to say it's virtually assured. So, I'd like to know at what point you would be prepared to sack him. Does he have to lose in 2017 as well and go 1 for 5? I'd prefer to give him one last chance in 2017, honestly I would. But the spectre of another series defeat added to Daley's history of frankly bizarre lineups with out of form players, players out of position and players that are past their best has put Daley in a hole he can't dig himself out of. The moral of the story is this, when you're in a hole stop digging.
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it's me Anthony Griffin! Peachey plays his best footy in the backrow or left center, plays club with Mansour and passes 35% more of the time then Jennings, here at the Panthers! Wow!. Seeing as though you aren't me, 'Hook' Griffin you may have missed the 6 names in the short list for both center positions - let me know if you want me to forward you the rest of the guys names, i'd hate for anyone to get a silly reaction to opinion and possibility.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
As long as Woods doesn't attempt his 4-penalty effort from game3 last year we have a chance :) FOUR!
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Getting out of the Blues is harder than Alcatraz or Colditz!
Doug Graves
Guest
Jennings? Again? Seriously, what has this bloke done over 16 Origin games? Time to move on from these habitual losers.