Every year Origin throws up some interesting debates about who should or shouldn’t be in the team.
In 2018, we’re seeing a changing of the guard for both NSW and Queensland teams, so there were plenty of positions up for grabs.
Both teams appear to be strong outfits, but there are definitely some unlucky players to miss out on the big game. Here is my top five.
1. Euan Aitkin (Dragons centre)
This guy has been a star all year and looked to be a definite starter in the Blues team. He has proven himself to be an elusive runner and very solid defender. He must have attracted the attention of Freddy Fitler when he played all over the Queensland captain, Greg Inglis, during the Dragons versus Rabbits battle.
Aitkin’s defence is also far superior to that of both Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts. Mitchell runs out of the line far too much, leaving holes and often conceding tries. While Roberts is small in stature and is too easily pushed off.
Having said that, Fittler is obviously hoping that if the pair let in two tries, they’ll make up for it by scoring four. And they are more than capable of doing that.
2. Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
Oates is a fast and damaging runner of the ball and has done nothing wrong for the Broncos in the lead up to Queensland’s Origin selection. He has struggled with injury at times, but in full fitness he’s proven himself to be a game-breaker. He would not let anyone down at Origin level in 2018.
Statistics wise, Oates is third in the league for line breaks, only behind Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Carr and the Dragons’ Matt Dufty.
Brisbane winger Corey Oates celebrates a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
3. Tariq Sims – St.George Illawarra Dragons
Sims is menacing in attack and defence and has had a breakout year. Even Gus Gould commented that Sims is in better form than Boyd Cordner. Sims is 18th man for the NSW Blues, but he would be feeling very unlucky to be left out of the final team that will be running onto the ground.
Sims has been a huge part of the Dragons pack in 2018 and a significant reason why they’ve been near the top of the ladder all year.
4. Cameron McInnes (St.George Illawarra Dragons)
What else do you have to do to play representative football? McInnes doesn’t have the electric pace of Damien Cook, but he is one of the toughest players in first grade. Every week he puts his body on the line and plays with broken bones every week.
He’s made for Origin. In addition to this, he provides great service to his halves and motivates the team with his big clashes.
5. Blake Ferguson (Roosters)
The 103kg winger has been heralded all year as a player in great form. Statistics don’t lie – he’s leading the total runs for the year with 238 runs and is the only back in the top three.
He’s also run the furthest out of any player, with 2,360 metres made for the year. Plus, don’t forget he’s the incumbent winger for the NSW Blues.
There is a wealth of talent in the wing position for NSW this year, but it must have been a hard decision to leave Fergo out of the team.
Are there any other unlucky players? What about coaches? Interested to hear your thoughts.
Concerned Observer
Guest
Yeah but he tends to rub people the wrong way doesn’t he? I mean, he sits there saying he’s ready but no doubt he’ll want to be a senior player, no doubt he’ll want to take charge It’s just, doesn’t he remember Walters banned a whole bunch of pretty decent recruits because they barely broke curfew at his camp? A huge move to restrict himself to show that his word and authority is absolute. What must Walters think of DCE, who, in his role as club captain, broke a mandated curfew, hit the booze, went to a strip club and got in a fight with a junior player of the team; while they were in the middle of a massive form slump? My view? Deep in Kevvie’s office, is a glass case with the sign saying “Break only in case Wally Lewis can’t return” to signify that QLD has absolutely exhausted their halves options, in it is DCE’s number so Kevvie can call him and ask who he thinks might do well as a half.
The Shafe
Guest
deleted
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I don't think Oates is unlucky. Gagai is the reigning Player of the Series, and Holmes has a great rep record. I don't rate Aiken as highly as others do, but centre for NSW is very thin Sims? Yeh, unlucky Ferguson has had too many chances for NSW and has had multiple off-field issues while in camp Cotric could be considered unlucky as they have picked a player out of position ahead of him.
Big Daddy
Guest
I think you have to take some if the emotion out of it when people say woods,Ferguson and graham played for Australia and don't deserve to be dropped. The opposition at world cup level is not SOO level and Ferguson is paying for his indiscretion, and Graham is paying for his discipline and mistakes from last year. Woods form has not been as good as the guys picked. In Qld case with the wingers someone had to miss out , but this doesn't make them any weaker. No one will know wether any selection is good until after game 1, until then it's anybody's guess.
Nat
Roar Guru
Only 2/4 are actual wingers week in/out and even then Holmes swaps between FB when needed.
Dday
Guest
Both teams have so many wingers to choose from - going to be hard to get Aussie jersey as a winger!!!!
Albo
Guest
Graham is paying for those errors he made in Game 2 last year that let QLD off the hook and tossed away a NSW series win. For mine, only Josh Jackson is the unlucky one to miss this selection in 2018.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Despite being not rated by many, many fans, Boyd would consider himself unlucky. He has the second most tries in Origin history and with Inglis inside him has formed the most successful centre wing combination in Origin history (in terms of tries scored). Plus with all the experience lost from the QLD side this year he would have become more valuable. I'm more than comfortable with V-Holmes, but Boyd is unlucky to play in one of the few spots where QLD has a lot of options.
Matt H
Roar Guru
I would say DCE can consider himself unlucky. With the forced changes in QLD they needed a game controller, goal kicker and some leadership experience and he ticks those boxes. Has been going well for Manly for 12 months now and is in his prime.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Oates realises this and has asked to move, but the Broncos are ok for depth of second rowers (Gillett, Su'a, Joe O, Tevita P). But they are short for wingers and centres - Isaako, Kahu (who has to cover centre), Pearson.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Qld still have great centre defenders in Chambers and Inglis - won't be easy to get through them. Be interesting to see if Damien Cook can make the same kind of impact that he does every week. Surely McInnes deserved a bench spot at least.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
So you're saying Jackson shouldn't be buying a lotto ticket any time soon?
Forty Twenty
Guest
Freddy has stuck his neck out and gone for speed and attack which goes against the grain with the history of SOO. Plenty of great attackers never made it into this arena and it's hard to argue with the logic of that. I'm curious to see how well it works , some of the players left out have had a good run and a fresh attitude could be a good thing. I seem to recall Alan Jones having a similar mind set when he coached the Tigers of focusing on attack but it often just creates a lamb to the slaughter situation. No doubt Freddy has a plan with greater insight the A.Jones. . Good time to try it though with the big three from QLD gone forever.
Dday
Guest
I think the Sharkies’ Graham is very unlucky. Although he’s been injured for a lot of the year. Woods hasn’t been playing that well for the Dogs so he was going to struggle to make it.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's unlucky alright.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I know Ferguson shone with his selfish on the sauce before game three antics and woeful defensive positioning and decicision making last series. I know three guys who’ve never played are unlucky. What about Josh Jackson? NSW player of the series in 2016. Man of the match in game two last year. Busted a gut in games two and three while more high profile players went missing...and get selected again this year. Unlucky? Jackson can’t even make the unlucky to miss out list... !!!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Corey Oates needs to realise that he's actually a 2nd rower and not a winger, until he does Queensland won't pick him. Blake Ferguson's name should never be mentioned in Origin discussions. He may well have impressive stats but some of his decision making is atrocious. Not to mention his attitude problems last year. The other guys could probably consider themselves a bit unlucky to miss out, but I'm sure there are good arguments to warrant their omission.
Greg
Guest
Woods, Dugan, and Graham. All were considered good enough to represent their country and play in the World Cup final but six months later not even good enough to represent their state.