Firebrand federal MP Bob Katter says Billy Slater has been shafted by Queensland State of Origin selectors and incumbent fullback Darius Boyd wouldn’t know a line break if he tripped over one.
In an extraordinary attack, Katter pledged to lodge an official complaint over Slater’s omission from Origin I, which he said was clear evidence selectors were in the pocket of Brisbane.
Despite misspelling his name, the independent Queensland MP didn’t miss in his assessment of Boyd’s ability to break the defensive line.
“Darrius (sic) Boyd wouldn’t know what a linebreak was, if he fell over it on a dark night,” Katter said in a statement.
“We don’t deny Darrius Boyd is a solid rock on which you can build an NRL team; however that is not needed at State of Origin level when you have arguably all-time great players such as Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
“The QLD selectors and coach clearly are in the pocket of the Broncos.”
Brisbane mentor Wayne Bennett might disagree with Katter’s conspiracy theory, given his reluctance to allow five-eighth Anthony Milford to link up with the Queensland camp if they weren’t intending to play him.
Katter said less than one per cent of rugby league supporters would have picked Boyd ahead of Slater.
“It disheartens and disillusions people when cronyism prevails over fairness and talent,” Katter said.
“Slater has been shafted – what the Broncos complained about the Sydney clubs for so many years now applies to them.”
Katter signed off the stinging rant with some unusual Origin inspiration from Mike Brady’s VFL-AFL anthem, Up There Cazaly.
“In the immortal words, (of) the great Cazaly, we say to Billy ‘up there and at em, fly like an angel – the crowd’s on your side’.”
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Bobs a legend , as us Pauline.
Rep Football fake news
Guest
I think that the invisible politician from the north is stretching the truth when he says his mob played "rep" football. From my best recollection it must be representing Cloncurry that they found the right to question the selectors. That is not "Rep football"' in most people's eyes. The Awards that Darius has won over the World Cup and State of Origin and Anzac Tests and his scintillating attack for the Broncos, not to mention his NRL Premierships would not enter the mind of the "rep footballer'' . How similar is his recollection of his past football fame is he to Clive Palmer. They should get together and reminisce about the old glory days on the paddock which only they both remember.
mushi
Guest
The prophetic words of Placebo
BigJ
Roar Guru
Someone please tell Bob to stick to his outback political views as he is pretty great at that and dont stick your nose in were is no needed. I agree that Boyd should not of been picked like the rest of qld but im not a selector am i.
Jeff dustby
Guest
Inglis
XI
Roar Guru
Must have realised no one had talked about him this Parliamentary session and needed to boost his profile. Honestly it worked because I thought he retired at the last election
kk
Roar Pro
The MT stat sealed Bill's fate. 23 missed tackles fro 9 games.
Big Daddy
Guest
Who do you complain to if a politician is elected or not elected Bob katter -- please ?????
qwetzen
Guest
Would they be asking how a Canberra boy is eligible to play "origin" for NSW?
qwetzen
Guest
Nothing "confounding" about it. Many people are stupid. What's distressing is that the %age of stupid people is rising.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think there's some streaks of truth in that river of crazy. All we need now is a NSW politician to take up Paul Vaughn's case to even it out.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Does he do anything else? What will confound me 'til the day I die is why people vote for people like Katter.
Jimmmy
Guest
That's very , very apt.
Al
Guest
Seeing it here on The Roar, I first looked for the "Ha!" bubble and then, not finding that I looked at the author - "AAP". Then it sunk in that Katter was doing one of his crazies.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
When I first saw the headline on my facebook feed that is exactly what I thought it was...then I saw it was from ABC Grandstand...WTF
BuffaloTheorist
Roar Rookie
Reads like an article from the Betoota Advocate
Emcie
Roar Guru
The article should be renamed "Politician known for outlandish statements makes outlandish statement"
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Oh didnt you see? Hes played rep footy and is a stalwart of league.
Jeff dustby
Guest
How could it be an "official" complaint ? He is not in any place to make anything official.