With the series over for 2018, what will the Queenslander selectors come up with to get a result in Game 3?
The obvious thing to get right is appointing a new captain who is going to inspire his teammates. Greg Inglis is coming to the end of his career. He’s been a fine player, a damaging hard running centre with a big fend that he liked to put on his opponents. He is a credit to the town he was born in, which is Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast as we all know. (But we won’t go there).
The problem with GI playing out in the centres, and being a captain, is that he can often go missing. Sure, he bobs up for a big run every once in awhile, or he might put a cheap shot on a player by standing way offside, but generally speaking he’s not in the action as often as you’d like.
Greg Inglis (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
His verbal skills aren’t terrific either. They’re fine if you’re ordering a pizza over the phone, but he’s not articulate enough to get across the right messages to inspire his teammates when they’re under pressure.
When a try has been scored by the opposing team, and you’re down by more than a converted try, and you’re huddled on the goal-line absolutely exhausted, and you know you just have to find something somehow, and there’s five minutes to go, does anyone seriously think Greg Inglis is the bloke to rally the troops, and inspire his teammates for another big effort. (of course not).
The bloke I think they should consider is Cameron Munster. He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s very much a playmaker who is involved in the action all the time.
He can make a bust, he’s got a great step, a terrific kicking game, and he reads the play extremely well. The other thing with Munster is that he’s only 23 years old, whereas poor old Greg is 31. His best days are well and truly over.
I’ve suggested that Greg Inglis may well make the third game his last game in State of Origin. (I reckon he seriously must be thinking about it). Look how NSW invigorated their squad by selecting 11 new debutants in the opening Game. It’s paid dividends. NSW has wrapped up the series with one game to go. But it takes a brave selection committee to make so many changes.
For Queensland, they don’t need to have such a massive cleanout, although it’s time to take a good hard look at certain players. Maybe, just maybe, they need to tap a few on the shoulder. (I’m suggesting one of those taps on the shoulder could be Greg Inglis).
Think about it. Imagine the crowd who would turn out for Game 3 at Suncorp, if they knew it was the last game Greg Inglis would play for Queensland, and the last game for Billy Slater….I think it would be a terrific way for two legends of the game, two legends of Queensland, to finish their representative career in front of a home crowd.
At some point, every footballer must hang up the boots, even if it’s just rep footy to ensure they can play another couple of years of club footy. If it’s good enough for Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, it’s probably good enough for GI.
Max Mayer
Roar Guru
Not this again. Why can't we have a more interesting topic of discussion? I'd be much more interested to hear the reasons behind Lance's pathological dislike of GI. Skelton tells all: GREG INGLIS ATE MY HAMSTER
Matt H
Roar Guru
Inglis is four years younger than Slater, Cronk and JT. At 31 he is Jimmy Maloney's age. He has come back from a serious injury (again). He is a club captain of a successful team. He has been integral to a culture of success for QLD, Melbourne and the Bunnies. He is the top try scorer in Origin history. As others have stated, Mal Meninga was a pretty fair captain from the centres. And your critique of Inglis' oratory skills while having no access to the dressing room or any of his team talks is hilarious. Inglis' only had two serious competitors for the captaincy this year: 1. Billy Slater, who is 35, had already announced his retirement at the end of the series and was injured for Game 1. 2. Matt Scott, who is 32, coming back from serious injury and was not selected. So your solution? Cameron Munster. As others have stated Munster has had disciplinary issues for Melbourne, QLD and Australia. He is only 23. He has played in one winning and one losing Origin series. He is a running half and there is no more evidence for his ability to inspire or his eloquence than there is for any other player in the team. So Lance, after four articles and the near universal loss of respect on this forum, it's time for you to come clean. Exactly what is your personal problem with Greg Inglis? Are you a NSW supporter, broken from a decade of Inglis carnage? Can you not accept that NSW simply did not want Inglis and agreed that QLD could have him? Are you a supporter of teams that lost to Melbourne during their salary cap-trampling era and you blame Inglis personally? Are you a Broncos supporter that is still hurting from Inglis backing out on his contract to join the Rabbitohs? Did Inglis steal your drink one time? Did he knock over your sandcastle? Or is it just that you have decided that you like the attention and comment numbers from trashing a person in the public spotlight? Or is it more sinister Lance? Is a strong, dominant indigenous man in a leadership position a problem for you? I don't know you personally but you appear have a personal agenda against Greg Inglis. And if you don't want the last, most serious question above to be what many people think of you, then you need to be honest and let us know what your problem is. Otherwise Lance, there are respected people on this site who are thought of highly, who think very little of you. Is that the notoriety that you really want?
Matt H
Roar Guru
I'm thinking July 1 should be Lance's last article. Nah mate, you keep going, at least you get more comments on yours than I do!
Larry1950
Guest
Nothing if not persistent Lance, this is article 4 in your anti-Inglis rant & it's getting a bit tiring. Has been and still is in the top draw of centres in the NRL so move on, your hating is getting too obvious.
E-Meter
Guest
No he was born in Sydney. Came from the Parra district.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
"Morris may have reduced GI’s individual carnage ". That is what I am referring to, Rod.
Rod
Guest
I agree with most of what you say. But you lost me when Morris had him covered . The facts are Inglis was in the winning side more than not. He handled Morris with out breaking into a sweat. The bloke that played outside of GI was the second highest try scorer in Origin history . Morris may have reduced GI’s individual carnage but he didn’t stop his outside men from scoring tries , can’t recall J Morris troubling that edge at all. I’m a blues fan BTW
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
He’s taken a hammering so I’m surprised he’s said anything at all.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Ohhh, so clever! How come you can pop up here but don't have the guts to address anyone else's comments?
Lance Skelton
Guest
A 'rookie' mistake Matty.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Lol at taking the profile tags so seriously.
Nat
Roar Guru
Well hello lance. I thought that may get your attention as narcissists hate their intelligence being questioned. I offer opinions all the time and respect the right for others to give theirs. However your contributions aren't opinions are they? Well, the first one may have been but you got all this attention so you went all Oscar Wilde (as an ad man, you get the reference). Like this series, your other sport articles have been dismissed by the readers (All Blacks, Premiership Qtr) who obviously know more about their respective sports than the ill informed nonsense you put forward. Or they just don't get the comments and that hurts even more. I don't have to add anything more to what everyone else has put forward but I notice you do not, because you can not, refute them. Why? Because you cannot back up the false claims and ridiculous arguments you've used as justification for your "opinion" But I'll come back to point 1, these are not written as opinion, just for attention.
thomas c
Guest
Munster? no. no no no no no. Inglis is likely the only option unless you promote someone from a club purely to be captain. Everyone is too green or too uncertain to retain their jerseys. If inglis retired or got injured, the senior player at the moment is Josh McGuire. I think if Gillett was captaincy material he'd have done it already. Morgan is probably stranded on the bench for now. If his form was okay, I'd promote Guerra as a short term option( I think he's doing it for newcastle at the moment). I don't think any of the backs are established enough and most of the forwards spend 30 minutes off the field every game. I figure if you don't have a natural (champion) captain, someone hardworking fits the bill. (Boyd cordner is a similar selection. Stays on the field, works hard, seems too clean cut to get arrested) As to inglis playing for queensland, i think we've probably cheered on a lot of sportspeople for australia who grew up elsewhere. In league, we've fielded a few players for australia who grew up in Fiji (Uate, Radradra).
Lance Skelton
Guest
Hi Nat, I knew you'd come out of the woodwork at some point. Far from being called out, I've put forward an opinion. I know it's not something you like to do. You tend to wait for someone to write something and then give us your opinion as a so called 'guru', which I find pretty amusing.
Nat
Roar Guru
Go easy on poor lance Roarers, he's just chasing attention. It's not an opinion but a cry for attention because he knows he'll get it and it doesn't matter whether it's positive or not. He won't reply because he can't, he doesn't know any better. He's been called out on every other article on every other sport. If you knew your little neighbour wasn't 'right' you wouldn't abuse him for what came out of his mouth and I think lance should be treated in the same manner. Of course The Roar is going to publish this, it's generated the most reads of the day. The more reads, the more advertising revenue.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Even if you think Inglis may not be fit to be captain, Munster is certainly not the right choice. Gavin Cooper could make great captaincy material for mine if he stays in the team. Plays 80 minutes on the edge, similar role to Cordner.
Paul C
Guest
I believe Paul Gallon was born in Brisbane.
Rob
Guest
Inglis is no different to K. Nagas, James Tamou even Peter Sterling arguments which happened before and after Inglis so going there is embarrassing from a NSW prospective. Isn't M.Meniga a Captain of some stature with plenty of success during his Rep career? I'm sure Meniga played somewhere in the outside backs during his time in charge. How articulate is Gallen, Beetson or Tallis in the heat of battle? But they led with passion. NSW have won 2 series in 13 years. If Gagai try isn't over ruled and awarded and if Cordner isn't awarded a penalty try the result is possibly completely different? Are NSW that far ahead of a rebuilding Queensland team?If Ponga comes in for Slater, Cooper is replaced by Ofahengue and A.Taylor replaces Hunt which state has the younger squad? Morgan is a good centre. I've been very proud to have Greg Inglis representing my state.He's humble, inspirational and never lets his team mates down which what makes him a Queenslander at heart.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lance, It’s clear you have some agenda against Inglis... not sure if it’s personal or you just don’t like him but it’s very obvious while reading through this article and also incredibly cringeworthy. I love the roar for the fact anyone can put their opinion forward but gee this one is just a disgrace.
peeko
Guest
Roger and Barry, harsh but spot on