Queensland's selectors have lost their spine

Good on you for putting it out there Lance. For those Roarers who are quick to tell you how wrong you are but lacking the courage to write their own piece, well, you know what they can do... I for one would have stuck with Hunt. He’s a man with plenty to prove. I believe he has the ability to do it. All this nonsense about not being a big game player? Yes, he had a poor couple of games... show me any other player who can come in and dominate Origin inside a rookie five eighth behind a pack which, true Ut wasn’t going backward, but it wasn’t dominant either. I think Queensland are a real risk of doing what nsw did for years waiting for the next Joey Johns - burning careers whilst expecting each half to be dominant, instead of building a game plan around the cattle they do have. Interesting times ahead north of the border.

The cowboys will have to get rid of Peter parr before that happens Rob he's forever recruiting cockies luvs em whilst our talent languishes in the Q cup he wants to resign Coote it's not what nq is about but they just don't get it. That's news Corp for you . Heads should roll after this year but it won't happen .this season has been diabolical.

Smith has spoiled us I think.

Spot on

Lance no one can be someone else. If you’re referring to the success of a young player in his first couple of games compared to that of a 30 plus gamer at the end of their career it’s stupid. Munster is not JT but he’s done more than JT at the same age. Ponga is a head of Lockyer and Slater at this age. Hunt on the other hand is much older and shouldn’t be making poor mistakes like he did. A 200 plus gamer that played dumb and has proven to be a player that makes mistakes at the backend of big games under pressure.

Hopefully a fit Ponga, Munster, Morgan and Macca will be available for all 3 games next year. I do think DCE or A.Taylor would be the type of half that would complement those guys. I’m not sure there is much between the states in talent but the depth is probably showing especially in the forwards. I hope the Cowboys, Broncos, Titans and Storm can ensure more Qld talent is being brought through. The Broncos and Cowboys were formed to support Queensland based talent getting an opportunity in the premier comp. They have moved away from that ethos over the years.

One bad kick? Which one was that the 3rd tackle one that went dead, the soft chip for a uncontested in goal catch or the on he did for Cooper after Ponga made a bust? They were some of the poorest play options let alone some of the worst executed kicks an half has done at Origin level. He was hiding behind the line in defence and not looking to get into the game in attack. He didn't want to make an error and that shows he's not up to it IMO. Good luck to DCE.

Qld were the better team in 2. All the luck went to NSW. Despite the errors mentioned, If Holmes kick at 78 minutes evades Tedesco instead of landing on his chest from 10 metres away, Qld are under the posts and we're talking decider in 3. I'd like a NSW win; however I hope they don't get carried away believing their own hype. They will have to muscle up in intensity, plus keep getting all the luck.

Who's "Harrison"? Did you mean Ash Taylor. I agree Hunt has never been great in big matches. Last year the Broncs had him in reserve grade and then couldn't wait to unload him. He's been good at the Dragons - only because of Widdop. I think DCE may struggle for the same reason. His form went downhill when he lost Blake Green and Munster isn't an organizer. However if he has a blinder and gets Qld home, they will stick with him. Otherwise it should be Ash Taylor

He also gave away that ridiculous penalty for the spear tackle with 3 minutes to go in regular time, and then got the ball stripped from him on the 4th tackle with a minute remaining. Completely diabolical.

hahaha, poor ol' lancy's attempt at an insult. I told you what I do just a few days ago. Suffice to say I've hired and fired 100 of you old advertising guys for the same reason as you've just demonstrated - you talk without substance and do not take any thing in. If I had any respect for you I'd feel sorry for you.

Completely disagree. Every one knows what DCE is capable of and the selectors hand has been forced by poor performances by Hunt in both games. If Daly can fulfil his potential he will be the QLD seven for years to come.

Please do. I don't think you have a job so you've probably got plenty of time.

Lance Qld selectors for the first time in ages, were caught between a rock and a hard place. Losing the bulk of their spine was bad enough but when they started to look for replacements many of those were injured or badly out of form. Morgan, for example, would have been first player picked after GI, based on his Cowboys form at the back end of last season, but his form in the first 8 rounds, when he was playing, was ordinary. If you run a line through the bulk of the Maroon side, not many were in great from, which is such a difference from previous years. One guy who was in form was Hunt, but that's in large part due to the great combination he's formed with Whiddop. You rightly pointed out Qld needed a form combination at 7 & 6, but it's clear they still have to look further. Their choices seem simple to me; base the combination around Munster or around Hunt/Ash Taylor. Either could work, but Hunt/Munster doesn't.

I appreciate that lancy and that's without trying. I tell you what, you just hold your breathe in anticipation and I'll bang one out in due course. Maybe something around why people in the advertising industry write pointless articles to suit their narcissistic ego.

If they'd let hunt start at hback, then they'd have kept faith and have a justification for dumping him if he handed in a poor performance. However, they'd then be starting over next year. I think the problem is less hunt and more the combination with munster - who isn't Gareth Widdop. It's unfortunate for Hunt. no doubt. But it's like the commentators yesterday commenting on Nikorima and Milford. They said they liked both players, so their assessment about calling for a new halfback was a practical choice based on two players who don't quite fit together. The hunt/munster situation is a version of the same problem. But munster despite having his hands on the ball waaaay less than hunt is safe. and people have questioned hunt ever since the grand final dropped ball. People proclaiming with certainty that he isn't a big game player, or that he was scarred by the incident. It isn't pivoting from appointing hunt the messiah to appointing him persona non grata. He was always a tentative selection. (Granted they're not allowed to say they're selecting someone with a mind to testing them out).

How's that Suncorp sellout going Nat?

Punter I agree with most of what you say especially the Ben Hunt piece. As far as Morgs goes , I love the guy . He is just a wonderful all round player and a really special runner of the footy . Is he an Origin standard 7 ? I would love to say yes but I just don’t think so. I know he was great in the Cows run to the GF last year but it doesn’t come naturally to him to be the dominant playmaker. I would be happy for QLD to try the Morgs , Munster combo but I don’t think it’s the one. Morgs on the bench again for mine.

Natty, you're such a gifted writer. Your thinking is so sharp, so concise. Two sentences. It's breathtaking. Please, share something with us. We're all waiting. The suspense is killing me.

I've summed up your entire argument in two sentences, that's not my best but it's all I need. When writing aticles, like I said yesterday, less is more, especially from someone who isn't sure if the Saints will make the finals or didn't know GI played for Souths.