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Given that the main candidates for the Blues’ half are dropping like flies, the key position is now wide open.
Before the unfortunate injuries, it was billed as a battle between incumbent half Mitchell Pearce and new kid on the block, Nathan Cleary.
Coach Brad Fittler would probably have erred towards Pearce who has shown leadership and poise at his new club in 2018.
Not to mention that he has a relationship with the 28-year-old, having coached him at the Roosters. But this is a decision that does not need to be made, as Pearce and Cleary will both be nursing injuries when the first game comes around.
So who are the other potential contenders?
James Maloney
The Penrith five-eighth is successfully filling in for Cleary at halfback for the Penrith Panthers. His kicking game is pinpoint and his organisational play has always been a cut above.
Many have argued that he has always played the key role, making up for lesser halfbacks. He was the dominant half in the Roosters grand final victory year in 2013 and in the Sharks premiership year in 2016.
(AAP Image/Michael Chambers)
Luke Brooks
He’s always showed potential and was billed as the next big thing when he first entered the first grade arena. With Benji Marshall by his side, he has thrived at the Tigers and is looking like a game-breaker. But it would be a genuine risk to throw him into the pressure cooker atmosphere of Origin.
Mitchell Moses
He always tries hard and when the bounce of the ball is favouring him, Moses is a star. He has a good Origin pedigree, being the nephew of Benny Elias, and has always had confidence in his ability to take on the line.
His star was shining brightly against the Manly Sea-Eagles on Sunday, and if his form continues he could start to attract Fittler’s interest.
Adam Reynolds
The crafty Rabbit has been there before but lost both of the Origin matches that he played in last year. He has a great kicking game and is a premiership winning half, however he currently seems under-done after returning from injury. A good month of football and he could be in contention.
My vote is James Maloney with daylight second. This would mean that he would be joined by either Blake Green or Luke Cleary in the five-eighth role. What do you think?
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