State of Origin is just around the corner and here at The Roar, we are all about your opinion, so why not have your say on who is going to play for the New South Wales Blues in Game 1 with our interactive team picker?
The Blues Origin team is generally one of the most hotly debated topics in the lead-up to the series and this year will be no different, with new coach Brad Fittler likely to make a mountain of changes to the side who lost their third straight series and tenth in the last eleven.
While James Tedesco might remain at fullback, the halves combination is up in the air with James Maloney set to be partnered by a fresh face after Mitchell Pearce went down with injury. Will he be joined by Nathan Cleary, Blake Green, Adam Reynolds or another out of left field?
There has even been talk in recent weeks that Maloney may be left out altogether, owing to his defensive deficiencies, with the Panthers half missing an average of almost seven tackles per game.
And what about the number nine jersey? Nathan Peats held it last year, but seems unlikely to continue as dummy half. Cameron McInnes and Damian Cook seem to be the favourites to replace him, with few other options making their case.
The outside backs are up in the air as well. Josh Dugan seems to be the only centre or winger likely to retain their spot from Game 3 last year, with Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris and Blake Ferguson all likely to be out of favour under the new coaching staff. Among the favourites to take their spots are Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts, Josh Addo-Carr and Euan Aitken.
And speaking of the Dragons, who have made a runaway start to the season and sit at the top of the ladder, how many of their forwards will make the grade? Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims, Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell all appear to be in contention, with at least one forced change in the forwards as Andrew Fifita declared for Tonga.
More are likely though, with Boyd Cordner the only one confirmed to retain his spot, given his captaincy of the side and Fittler’s idea of cleaning out the players involved in past losses.
Be sure to let us know on the team picker below who you think will play for the Blues in Game 1 of the 2018 series.
State of Origin fixtures
Game 1: Wednesday, June 6 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Game 2: Sunday, June 24 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Game 3: Wednesday, July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Griffo
Guest
Don't know how Ethan Lowe is an option. He's been dropped by the Cowboys and he's a Queenslander.
Cody
Guest
(1)L.mitchel ( 2)J.roberts ( 3)E.aitkin ( 4)B.ferguson ( 5) J.addo-car ( 6)J.malony ( 7)N.cleary ( 8)R.campbel-gillard ( 9)D.cook (10)P.vaughn ( 11)T.frizzel ( 12)J.de belin ( 13) T.merrin 14)C.mcinnis 15)C.watson 16)J.bird 17)D.klemmer
R N
Roar Rookie
Thats more like Misère!
Nate
Guest
Turbo JAC Mitchell Dugan Ferguson Maloney c Cleary Vaughn Cook Fifita Frizell Sims Jurbo Peachy Klemmer RCG De Belin
Nate
Guest
Turbo JAC Mitchell Dugan Ferguson Maloney Cleary Vaughn Cook Fifita Frizell Sims Jurbo Peach Klemmer RCG De Belin
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Dude no way sometimes you just have to go to the wildcard option.
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
A lot of positions come down to this weekend. 1. Tedesco 2. Addo Carr/Cotric/Trbojevic 3. Mitchell/Dugan 4. Roberts/Aitken 5. Trbojevic/Ferguson/Dugan 6. Maloney 7. Cleary/Green 8. Klemmer 9. Cook 10. Vaughan 11. Cordner 12. Frizell 13. De Belin/Trbojevic 14. Peachey 15. Trbojevic/De Belin 16. RCG 17. Crichton
farkurnell
Guest
most blues fans on this sight have nailed the team with about 80-90% agreed upon.Appart from the halves i think the most debate is around the centers, whether we go attacking (Latrel/Jet) or defence to counterGI (Dugan Aitken). Also I like having Faf in the side,as it tirers out the QLD pack having 3 tacklers on him every time,allowing RCG n Cook to run riot when QLD pack slow down.
JD St George
Roar Pro
Perfection
JD St George
Roar Pro
We are the opposite of thin up front IMO
PNGBF88
Guest
Cleary and Cotric must debut this year, they are already experienced beyond their years.
Bplol
Guest
I swear i wrote Cotric. Maybe it was just wishful thinking that JAC had a twin brother john ado carr
R N
Roar Rookie
Why all the love for Cleary? You would be just picking an inexperienced Peter Wallace. Really... that is what Cleary is! Solid in defence with a decent kicking game (that looks better than it really is) without offering much in attack. I think he is the most over hyped player in the game!
R N
Roar Rookie
I am assuming this is multi choice (which doesn’t belong) ? Answer - Ado Carr
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't know how you can pick Duggan, Scott? He's not playing great football and more to the point isn't playing a lot at centre. He's also not a great team man as his antics in the past have shown. I'd rather take a punt and hope Mitchell steps up than pick Duggan and know he'll probably do something dumb.
Paul
Roar Guru
Addo Carr's a great winger but asking him to cover the left and right wing positions is a big ask.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Matthew Dufty isn't in contention? I think he's the best option out of the NSW fullback options. 1. Matthew Dufty (Dragons) 2. Josh Addo-Carr (Storm) 3. Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) 4. Euan Aitken (Dragons) 5. Nick Cotric (Raiders) 6. James Maloney (Panthers) 7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers) 8. Paul Vaughan (Dragons) 9. Cameron McInnes (Dragons) 10. David Klemmer (Bulldogs) 11. Tyson Frizell (Dragons) 12. Boyd Cordner (Roosters) 13. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) 14. Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Panthers) 16. Jack de Belin (Dragons) 17. Wade Graham (Sharks) All-new backline, forwards rotation largely the same. New South Wales have a lot of talent, let's see if it translates to a series win.
Davico
Roar Pro
Thanks for your input. Now jog on
brendan
Guest
1. J.Tedesco 2. T.Trbojevic 3. L.Mitchell 4. J.Roberts 5. J.Addo Carr 6. J.Maloney 7. N.Cleary 8. P.Vaughan 9. D.Cook 10. R.Campbell Gillard 11. T.Frizell 12. B.Cordner 13. J.Trbojevic 14. T.Peachey 15. J.De Belin 16. D.Klemmer 17. T.Sims
G
Guest
1. Tedesco 2. T. Turbo 3. Roberts 4. Aitken 5. Addo-Carr 6. Maloney (C) 7. Cleary (A.Reynolds if injured) 8. RCG 9. McInnes 10. Klemmer 11. Frizell 12. J.Turbo 13. de Belin Reserves Cook Vaughan T.Sims Crighton Keary shouldn't be selected- there's NSWmen that are at least as good available, I don't see how he could passionately play for Blues and he's really not that good. Cordner isn't in the top 10 backrowers in NSW at the moment, he must be playing injured. Dugan and Ferguson would be in my 17 on ability, but getting on the turps as they did too close to gameday should see them sit out a series.