Origin is almost back, and here at The Roar we just can’t wait. But before the games get underway, we need to decide who’s going to suit up for each team come Game 1.
Yesterday we gave you the chance to pick your Blues team (which you can still do if you haven’t already) – today, it’s time to pick your Maroons squad.
For the first time in what seems like forever, there’s a bit of concern around the Marrons squad. A season-ending injury to Greg Inglis has deprived Queensland of one of their most consistent performers in recent years, and the same can be said for Matt Scott.
Then there’s the injury to Johnathan Thurston. No-one is really sure whether he’ll play in Game 1, so we’ve left him in as an option to select in your team. It begs the question, though; is picking Thurston, low on game time as he is, preferable to picking another half, be that Michael Morgan, Anthony Milford, Corey Norman (who is under an injury cloud himself) or someone else? The choice is yours.
Then there’s the fullback conundrum. Darius Boyd has been in superb form in recent years at fullback and was outstanding in the Origin arena last year at fullback in Billy Slater’s absence.
However, with Slater back on the field and back in form for the Storm, is it worth shifting Boyd to the wing in order to fit the Melbourne fullback in the side? The have been worse selection headaches to have, but it’s one Kevin Walters still has to find an answer to.
So, now it’s over to you. Pick the 17 players who you think will do the best job for the Maroons on May 31, and we’ll publish the results ahead of the official team announcement next week.
A quick note: yes, there are a few players listed in multiple positions in our selection form. Given Walters doesn’t have the luxury of picking a single player more than once, we’d like to make the same request of you.
And, of course, don’t forget to share your team in the comments to get the debate going!
rakshop
Roar Rookie
Pretty much the same as most people's squad ---- I would switch Boyd and Slater. Most people have Slater at fullback but I think Boyd is indespensible as the third half option in attack. Since coming back, Slater hasnt really impressed me with his ball handling skills. I cant pick Oats in my team, he has too many weaknesses. A good kicking game that gets in behind Oats is all it takes to undo all the positives he could bring. Hence I think you kill two birds with one stone and have Slater on one wing. They will go with Myles, because.... well they just will. He looked slow in last years SOO, and I wouldnt be selecting him on current form. Napa should get the start, Thiday is showing that he bring something from the bench, although I would have started him Myles position. I wouldnt be selecting Hess - just yet. Ethan Lowe on the other hand, is a name that should be on the list, ahead of Sims, Cooper and Hess on current form. Doesnt get the accolades, but in my opinion, with an understength and undersized Cowboys forward pack this year, he has been the best and most consistent Cowboy by far. Plus he can play pretty much any position in the forwards, whereas with Sims/Hess/Cooper you lock yourself into a position, and in the case of Cooper/Hess (less so Sims) a side of the field. The utility player is the interesting one. I have watched every Cowboys game this year, and Morgan has had exactly one good game to date. That happened to be last week..... A week before SOO teams are announced. Everyone's assumption is that Milford would be the walk up replacement. But I would like to throw in another name. If we are looking for someone who can change the game in an instant, why dont we select Jake Granville on the bench and use Cam Smith as our utility type player (if needed)???? Hence this would be my team Boyd Slater Gagai Chambers Holmes Thurston (Milford) Cronk Thiday/Papalli Smith Napa Guerra Gillet MacGuire Thiday/Papalli (depends who you want to start) Lowe Lillyman Granville
kk
Roar Pro
I was nine when WW11 ended and ever since have lived under the misapprehension that the Spitfire won the B of B. Nanco, Thank you for that correction. A visit to Wiki sets it right. Thank God for the Hurricane.
Nanco
Guest
Hurricanes won the B of B
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Jimmy and Rob, Spitfires won the Battle of Britain and that 17 would do the same for Queensland. All I have done is pick the best 17 players and to use the instructions of the great KR Miller when asked by a team mate upon his taking the field, "Where do you want us, skipper?" "Scatter" replied Keith. The team I have selected is so good they would beat any opposition.
Rob
Guest
Your pack is a little light on. Cameron Smith is the brains but he does also require the brawn to hold win the middle battle. Nate Miles is a great Origin player but his best days are well behind him now. Milf would be liability in defence at origin level. Thurston miss alot of tackles but he never gives up, chases and put his body on the line when he has to. Milf is a little soft and indecisive in defence.
Rob
Guest
Milford is lightyears away from starting side, because of his questionable defence, but he could have a big impact of the bench. Morgan is centre and Munster 5/8 because of his defence and combo with Cronk.
langerthebronco
Guest
1: Boyd/Slater- If Slater is selected, Oates makes way for Boyd. If Boyd is Selected, Slater misses out. 2:Oates 3:Munster 4:Chambers 5:Holmes 6:A.Taylor if no JT- Cam Smith mould. Way mature for his Age and will handle the pressure of Origin 7:Cronk 8: Myles 9:Smith 10:Papali-will shift to the edges when Lillyman or Napa enters. 11:Cooper-Goes to Lock and makes McGuire play Prop at some stage. 12:Gillet 13:McGuire 14:Morgan 15:Thaiday 16: Napa-Has to taste Origin while Smith is around so he learns not have brain explosions 17:Lillyman 18:Gagai 19:Hess 20:Sims
Rellum
Roar Guru
If you say so, but I do not think he is an immortal level player, where many do. He is a great of the game, but I do not think he sits with Lewis, Raper and the rest.
johnno [ 2 ]
Guest
It really doesn't matter who is selected for QLD because we all know the unrecognised players grow beyond the required my selections ie my favourites and present form SLATER BOYD GAGAI CHAMBERS OATES THURSTON / MORGAN CRONK In any order McGUIRE PAPALI GILLETT THAIDAY SMITH MYLES NAPA COOPER GUERRA MORGAN / MILFORD I have no interest in HOLMES - OATES takes the ball up like a 2nd rower and his positional play is special and is a big man and scores I have selected MILFORD if THURSTON doesn't play as I feel the company might ignite his potential My concerns are with MYLES and NAPA as they have been playing off the bench at club level Plenty of respect for COOPER , HESS , WALLACE
frnq
Guest
If you think Slater is overrated, you have no damn clue what you are talking about
Sharkattack
Guest
Slater Boyd Chambers Gagai Holmes Thurston/Morgan Cronk Gillett Hess Thaiday McGuire Smith Napa Cherry_Evans Lowe Papali Sims
Tony
Guest
My side is Slater Holmes Gagai Chambers Boyd Morgan Cronk Bolton Smith Myles Gillett Thaiday McGuire Munster/Napa/Papalli/Lillyman
Adsa
Guest
I would have liked the option of Chris McQueen on the bench with Wallace, Sims and Morgan.
Jimmmy
Guest
Max did you start drinking early today? . That bench of yours doesn't have one big forward.!! In a dead rubber I would actually like your team take the field. Who knows it may revolutionise the game but in game one of the series it would be a very very brave man to go with your bench.
Clyde
Guest
1. Boyd 2. Gagai 3. Chambers 4. Slater 5. Holmes 6. Cherry-Evans (JT if fit) 7. Cronk 8. Myles 9. Smith 10. Maguire 11. Cooper 12. Gillett 13. Thaiday 14. Morgan 15. Papalli 16. Napa 17. Wallace
thomas c
Guest
I assume Mal is completely hands off since he got the Australia Gig. Kevin Walters may want to be loyal, but he may have different ideas about team composition and how to win.
thomas c
Guest
there's no denying wallace based on form. Morgan probably gets the nod at 6, though i don't see him in that jersey long term. Boyd over Oates. I think oates has issues with turning around that could be targetted. Munster as utility is basically everything that Morgan was in terms of strength, speed and ability to cover a handful of positions. Hess and SIms are good bench options. Hess is so powerful. SIms hasn't been making as many meters as he'd like, but he's big and of late has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and a decent offload. Gavin Cooper is a solid player, but he's turning 32 this year (as is thaiday, myles). Napa, Wallace and Sims are a good age to establish themselves as long term options. HOWEVER, while your team is probably what they should select, i suspect loyalty might make them phase the changes they should make.
kk
Roar Pro
Maroons best assets and how best to position them to take full advantage of home draw. F/ B; Boyd W : Holmes/Oates C: Chambers/ Gagai 5/8: Milford 1/2 :Cronk H :Smith P: McGuire/ Miles B/R: Gillett/ Thaiday/ Hess B: Morgan /Munster/Slater/McCullough I purposely held Billy back The game plan is to use him in an explosive final 25 minutes. I may start with Morgan and Milford to the Bench.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I know right? Makes it funnier when we win.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Morgan for Milford. Defence wins ORIGAMI.