Without stating the bleeding obvious from the fallout after the Maroons were pantsed by Blues in front of their own fans, expect some mass changes for the return bout in three weeks time.
It would not be surprising to see a changed line-up comprising the list at the bottom of this article.
Sacrificing Corey Oates for Valentine Holmes will be easier for the Maroons with more go-forward named in a revamped forward pack. We suspect the Maroons will go for speed in an all-or-nothing approach in Game 2.
Johnathan Thurston will be named but is 50-50 at best. If he’s ultimately ruled out, Anthony Milford would start on the pine with Michael Morgan starting. Tim Glasby could be a surprise bolter in place of either Gavin Cooper or Ethan Lowe.
If there is a chink in the Blues armour it is the outside backs that aren’t blessed with speed. Expect the Maroons to throw the ball wide early in an attempt to tire the Blues forward pack and lessen its influence in Game 2.
We witnessed some of the best defence seen by NSW in quite some time in the final quarter of the game, while some of the off-loading and support skill from the Queenslanders showed what they are capable of.
Blues fans would be happy if Walters only makes two to three changes, however, after the nature of the defeat, but the minimal impact of their forward pack creates a golden opportunity to blood some talented up and comers. This seems like a no-brainer, with experienced heads and greats of the game still vital cogs in the Maroon line-up. It’s highly likely NSW will name an unchanged side, with injury being the only exception that would force any changes.
The media is already starting to write the epitaph of the great Queensland dynasty but beware, a champion team or a champion player never rolls over and accepts their time is up; they come back with a lift in intensity and thrive when a new challenge presents itself. This drive is what got them there in the first place.
A lot of injuries and suspensions can occur between now and 21 June. Complacency and reading your own headlines is fraught with danger, and if NSW displays any of these traits, even in a minor way, Game 3 will be more than just a dead rubber with only pride at stake – not to mention the possible inclusion of a particular Johnathan Thurston.
Suggested team sheet
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Wow with the exception of Glasby for Thaiday Ray and I were bang on the money. The invoice is in the mail Kevvie and must be paid prior to Origin 2 kick off!
Craig
Guest
They kicked to Oates to prevent Oates from taking the first hit up of the set. Oates first hit up is always first rate and makes 15 odd metres to get the set rolling every time, they nullified this part of his game. Instead, we had Darius or someone else crabbing across field on the first play.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
I'd have Morgan over Milf if JT is out. Covers plenty more positions than Milf.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
His guitar playing and songs around the campfire me thinks Bill. Least his jersey wasn't like the mid-riff he wore in the Anzac Test match, same for Fifita.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Gee whiz Carlos, wholesale changes, who comes in to the key positions in place of Cronk and Smith? Ash Taylor and Jake Friend?
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
You'd keep Lillyman? I wouldn't have in the Warriors 17 but then again I'm not a mong like the current coach. On Friday night he only used 16 of his 17 man squad against a side who ran out of troops and interchanges the final 10 or so minutes. Picked Lillyman for his usual effort, 47 metres, 7 hit ups, gives away 2 penalties, missed 6 or so tackles. Great servant and contributor!
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Darius lacks the vocal presence of Slater, that is the area of his game, which is very crucial at Origin he struggles with.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Surprised not much love for Ethan Lowe, he goes alright too.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
I think NSW improved with one key change, Peats for Farah. Peats plays for the team whereas Robbie plays for Robbie. Go forward was non existent at home, how will be down Sydney? Lillyman, Guerra, Myles and even Thaiday look mismatches moving forward for Qld. They need to re-energise their pack with youngsters surrounded by Smith and co.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Pretty sure they kicked to Oates all night with a high bomb knowing he takes a bit to get up to top speed. Tactic worked well plus he is in that category of Manu Vatuvei like wingers who take an age if they have to retreat to clean up the ball.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Soz Tim I submitted the title Origin Game 2 – Mass clear out up North a given. Been stitched up me thinks!
DJ01
Guest
Holmes comes in for O'Neill and starts on the wing.
DJ01
Guest
1. Boyd 2. Holmes 3. Chambers 4. Gagai 5. Oats 6. Thurston/Milford 7. Cronk 8. Napa 9. Smith 10. Wallace 11. Papalli 12. Gillette 13. Mcguire 14. Milford/Morgan 15. Hess 16. Sims 17. Thaiday Hess takes Guerra bench spot, and Korbin Sims replaces Lillyman. Wallace comes in for Myles. Thaiday is on his last legs.
Bill larkin
Guest
Slater must come in. How Thaiday keeps getting a game is an utter mystery.
Carlos
Guest
I thought Gagai and Cronk where the only players that deserve not to feel embarrassed. Milford tried hard but had nothing to work with. The rest of QLD played dirty and lost looking like a bunch of grubs. FYI, Napa played 40 mins. he started out well but was just useless for most of them not because he had a sore foot but because he was totally shot and not up to it. QLD should drop the entire forward pack except for McGuire who should be suspended for his cheap shot on Fifita. Papalii who went ok when he wasn’t wandering around with his hands on his hips. They’ll probably need Alfi out there with a big mac on a stick to help him get back into position a bit quicker. Matt Gillett who probably won’t be that terrible two games in a row. IMO QLD would be making a mistake to rush JT back. If they rush JT back they risk not only ending the Cowboys season, potentially seasons and the career of a future immortal. They should stick with Milford and give him another go. Myles / Lillyman / Thaiday / Guerra / Napa should be dropped and the jobs given to some hungrier players Chambers should be suspended for his dog act going for Pearce’s head and O’Neil should be gone for being terrible. Cronk Should finish the series before retiring but otherwise I think it’s time to move on from Smith and Slater. The salary cap boys have been great but not making changes now is just delaying the inevitable. Boyd should stay at fullback and V.Holmes should come onto the wing.
god
Guest
if only j-lolo played for queensland. a forward battle between him and fifita with origin intensity would surely bring about the events foretold in the book of revelation
Harry
Guest
1. boyd 2. holmes 3. chambers 4. gagai 5.oates 6. milford 7.cronk 8. napa 9. c smith 10. myles 11.gillett 12. guerra 13. Mcguire res 14. cherry evans 15. thaiday 16. papali 17. cooper
Ian
Guest
I don't think they'll make wholesale changes. Wallace in for Myles. O'Neill out to get Slater in. Maybe Guerra out to bring Hess or Cooper in.
souvalis
Guest
You can't pack and stack after just ONE game Ron..surely there'll be loyalty for the past..it's the Qld way... Val Holmes wasn't good enough last week,but he's in this week ? Darius has gone from king pin to ten pin ? As a NSW men I feel duped and very disappointed at the prospect of wholesale dumpings...Miles by and thanks for all the fists..
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Its funny how things change - a few years ago Qld had no quality edge forwards apart from Thaiday. We had middle forwards like Ash Harrison and even a young Nate Myles playing 4-in. Now we're stacked with edges, and have few middles! Gillett is a lock for right side. Papalii to start on the left and replaced by Hess after 30min+ Can be rotated through middle in second stint. That means Thaiday has to man up and play middle (13 for mine) unless injury forces him to move to the edge. He was invisible on Wednesday. Played 45min and ran 47 metres. Abominable. Kevvie should tell him its his last chance to prove he belongs, or new blood will replace him from Game 3 onwards. Wallace, McGuire, Napa for the middle but we need one more. I think selecting Gavin Cooper - who is a really good player that I like a lot - will miss the mark. The only real options if Lillyman and Myles are excluded (should be) is Tim Glasby, Scott Bolton and Brenton Lawrence. Glasby has been part of the emerging Origin camp the past three years - give him a go I say.