Every year the NRL introduces us to a new wave of shining stars. So who are the fresh-faced players demanding an Origin berth in 2018?
These players showed potential last year and they have taken their games to another level.
Kalyn Ponga
He simply must be part of the Queensland squad and, if picked, will be a game breaker. Given that Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk have retired from representative footy, the presence of Ponga is timely and a welcome relief for the Maroons. He can comfortably play in the halves and has demonstrated supreme confidence and skills. He’ll thrive on the big stage.
Jai Arrow
The Titans back-rower has been the Gold Coast’s best player every week and has already attracted the attention of Queensland coach Kevin Walters. He’s definitely on the radar but looks like being ruled out due to injury and may have to wait until next year.
Cameron McInnes
The Dragons hooker has shown a toughness that’s essential for Origin. He’s a crucial part of the successful St George Illawarra spine and plays with a fearless passion that inspires those around him. McInnes probably wasn’t on the shortlist at the beginning of the year, but his Anzac Day performance, among others, proves that he won’t be overawed at the highest level.
Isaah Yeo
This 105-kilogram Panther is an ideal pick for the Blues bench. He’s shown his versatility in 2018, excelling as a second-rower and centre for the Mountain Men.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
The 24-year-old prop has been a surprise packet in 2018 for the Penrith Panthers. Born in Blacktown, he deserves a starting spot for the NSW Blues, although it’s more likely he’ll end up on the bench. He eats up the metres in attack and has a handy offload to spark second phase play.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Damien Cook
The South Sydney hooker is a must for Origin – his speed around the ruck is reminiscent of Craig Wing and he’s the perfect weapon to come off the bench in the last ten minutes of each half. It’s doubtful that he would have been on anyone’s list at the start of the year, so he has exceeded all expectations with his consistency.
Euan Aitkin
The Dragons centre has outplayed most of his opponents in 2018, including a magnificent game against Greg Inglis. His step and pace are hard to handle and he has the potential to be an electric addition to the NSW Blues team. He probably deserves to steal Jarryd Hayne’s position.
Nick Cotric
The 19-year-old Canberra Raiders winger has demonstrated that he can create something out of nothing every week with his speed and dynamic stepping. He’s a future star of the game and should be considered for the Blues in 2018. He’s already represented NSW in the under-16 and under-18 arenas.
Tariq Sims
After playing in the NRL for a number of years, Sims appears to be peaking for the Dragons at the age of 28. He’s a key force in the Dragons monster pack and is a menace to opposition halves. Sims’s aggressive style and attitude will suit Origin – in 2018 his dominance has been relentless every week.
Latrell Mitchell
Since entering first grade as an 18-year-old Mitchell has been earmarked as a future representative player. After all, he dominated in junior rep teams and represented NSW in the under-18s. Finally in 2018 Latrell is showing the unstoppable power that should propel him into the Blues team as a centre. His chances are improved given the current issues of last year’s centre pairing of Jarryd Hayne and the injured Josh Dugan.
These ten players have all put up their hand for Origin honours in 2018. We’ll find out in a few weeks whether the coaches have the bravery to pick them.
Nat
Roar Guru
For sure. No one knew Smith, JT and Co would turn out the be 3 of the best ever in 06. In all those years of Qld dominance and there has rarely been 3 - 0 whitewash. The only thing we know is the tide will turn eventually for NSW but it will take a change of thinking because the NSW talent has always been there.
tim
Guest
He means in terms of the most versatile player ever.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Whatever Ray, even though, the moderator 'keeps erasing my appropriate comments'??? I won't except your answer above Ray, lets just leave it at that!
Albo
Guest
And Peachey may yet be the 6, if Gould's clue of a surprise coming there has any merit ?
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Fair call Nat. It's probably not as strong as previous Qld sides, but there are enough young players in there to validate your point, and that of Paul's.
Nat
Roar Guru
Sam vs Morris, Sims vs Townsend, exactly the same type of carry but Morris was hit in the throat where as Chad was hit in the chin. Same charge - Sam fought the charge and Sims took the early guilty plea. At least Sezer had the ball when hit by Sam. Sims hit Taylor high and late. My point about Hurrell is another cheap shot by Sims. Let's have this conversation again after his next brain fade. Townsend, Taylor, Cronk.. what's the common denominator? ll halfbacks, just like I said way back in the first statement.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
you didn't have to scour the internet to find all those minor infringements (push into the fence, HIA) against him. No I don't see a theme because there is none, only the one you're creating to justify your lame argument. if you think for one second you shouldn't be at risk of a legitimate tackle that would see you undergo an HIA as a rugby league player, you're in the wrong sport. They happen! Stop whinging about them & come to some level of acceptance. Have you ever wondered why the carry over points didn't lead to a suspension ? Maybe because the person committing them does not regularly incur grade 1s & 2s dangerous contact ? the judiciary has a tendency to be lenient on offenders with good records. sam as you, I & the rest of the world know has a terrible record! Elbows to defenders' heads is not a natural position to take when doing a hitup. go on find something to justify your other arguments..
Nat
Roar Guru
Jay have you not been watching the last few years? While everyone has been waiting for Cronk, JT and Smith to retire they've blooded Munster, Morgan, Hunt, Milford, Oates, Holmes, Hess, Glasby, Napa, Gagai, Papalii and Wallace. That's literally Front Row to Fullback. Qld still have Taylor, Kaufusi, Welsh, McDonald, Mbye, Ponga, Mann, Moga, McCollugh, Granville, Arrow waiting so while all the NSW young guns are finding their way, Qld's guns are 3 series deep.
Nat
Roar Guru
Rnd 3, a late and high shot on Ash Taylor, sending another halfback to HIA. Are you starting to see a theme here? He was charged, another early guilty plea. Wasn't that the same game he pushed Hurrell into the fence from behind well after the ball was dead. That's good form. Taking an early guilty plea twice this year to escape suspension is far from not guilty and that's the point. p.s. leave the CAPS LOCK for the Souths fans.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Luke Lewis is not a young gun...
Paul
Roar Guru
Jay You list is all about up and comers, not established players. Qld right now doesn't need a lot of new guys because they have so many blokes who have played SOO.
Paul
Roar Guru
Jay if you're looking for a short list of about 30 players then agreed all these guys would be in it for their respective SOO teams. Once it gets down to say 20, the bulk would be trimmed. Ponga is one guy who should be around the Qld camp for the duration of the series, regardless if the he gets chosen in the 17 or not. He's clearly the next in line to replace Billy IMO, so giving him an early taste of the camp can't do anything but good, both for Qld into the future but for his footy with Newcastle now.
Greg
Guest
I have Luke Lewis ahead of both. Lewis has played every position on the field at some stage of his career and has also played representative football as a winger, centre, lock and second row, and won first grade Man of the Match awards as a five-eighth and halfback.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Nat, I already know that! Bottom line is he didn't get suspended, hasn't been all year. Now who is arguing that he's an angel here ? NOT ME, but I will state that he has a better technique than sam burgass..
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
I have Peach just ahead of Wing for pure versatility
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Hi Jay, I wasn't having a go at your list, I was thinking at the time of my comment about the ongoing FOX narrative (Anasta, Matty, Gaz) of NSW picking McInnes and Cook and being frankly baffled how they rarely seem to mention Peachey
no one in particular
Roar Guru
A large turnover isn't a bad thing. A number of new guys have played finals football and/or for Australia. I don't see the attraction of Aiken at all. Shows a lack of depth in the centres
Nat
Roar Guru
Short memory Ray. 4 weeks ago, Sims was charged for elbowing Chad Townsend, a halfback, he accepted an early guilty plea, that's the only reason he wasn't suspended. Exactly the same as Burgess but he fought it for his upgraded 2 weeks. In total Sims has spent months on the bench through suspension for his respective teams so let's not pretend he's an angel.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
oh steven I knew one of them cretin bunnicular persons were going to come out trying to get a piece I also know you haven't kicked a football in your life yourself since you seem to think what burgass did to Morris was all theatrics. Mann didn't hit the turf. at least I'm honest enough to admit Souths were the better team in all aspects, you on the other hand seem to have a hard time doing the same after you've received a shellacking. Let's see how things go in the next 3 weeks and see whose team is going better then ?
ja ja klazo
Guest
The Dynasty starts now!