Daly Cherry-Evans in race to be fit for Origin

As a Qlder by origin, I think it would be a cop-out if we brought Cameron Smith back. It might win us game 1, but it's just a slap in the face to our next generation. And what are we supposed to do after game 1? Keep playing him even if others are fit or play themselves into form? People compare this situation to Alfie coming back in 2001 but that was game 3, and in all honesty I think we would've got the win at home without him, Wayne just wanted his Broncos mate back. And on the topic of Broncos, why is McCullough the only specialist option? Take a risk with a youngster, give Reed Mahoney a go.

He's Qld's version of Mitchell Pearce... right?

On the reverse side let's dump Cleary and put young Mitch back in on the back of 1 good game in 12 month's and now it looks as though De Belin is most unlikely let's bring back Gallen. It's all mind games.

hi Nat, I've never understood why we all use the bookies as our source of favouritism in sport? I've done it previously but then it dawned on me, this is only about a bunch of people gambling on a result, who have the same sort of knowledge as you or I - and many of them have deep pockets and no knowledge at all.

I think you'll find he's right - as far as the bookies go at least. It may have tightened up by game day but NSW always opened $1.80ish fav's.

Haha yep. Somehow we're all back on the Hunt bandwagon again. I'm still waiting to find out what Hunt actually did do in Origin 3, apart from completely ruin all the momentum and defensive cohesion QLD had built up to that point. Maybe all the media influence is NSW trying to sabotage us by creating our own Mitchell Pearce?

Agree completely about Hunt!! And he should be given two games to prove he's not up to it before getting moved to another position where he'll get a ton of praise for not actually doing anything with the coach saying "he's definately an origin player we just need to find where!!!" ...oh wait...

It's sad if true, that players with natural instincts for the game are having this taken from them. There's nothing better than watching a talented ball player, pick apart a team simply by playing what's in front of them. It's even better and more fun when you're on the side that has a player like that.

hi Nat, the point John's making is that NSW is NOT coaching it's halves to be instinctive and play what they see, rather they are taught to follow the game plan as though that's holy writ. I think we're going through a period in Australia where we have some good, but not great halves. Most can follow a plan, but not all can play off the cuff and not all can guide their team around the park. No doubt we'll get another batch of exciting halves in the next few years.

Rellum, it must have only been us Blues supporters who don't live in NSW, who had any long term memory, if that was the case. In my part of the world, there was never a doubt who was favorite and as long as one of those blokes I named previously was in the side, NSW were always the second chance

Who of the young NSW halves are instinctive and creative? Couldn't say that about Cleary, solid but not exciting. Reynolds x 2, Keary, Walker and Jimmy are all NRL veterans with not less than 6yrs in NRL.

The interesting part were the concurrent articles being ran how bare the NSW halves cupboard was, with the media, coaches and ex-players alike were pointing towards how instinctive and creative plays were being coached out of the juniors in NSW system.

Not that surprising considering what happened last time NSW won a series and decided not to persist with the winning halves combination and went on another losing streak.

Kevvie hasn't used the "whole team down with a mystery virus, dunno how many will be fit to play" for a while. Might have to drag that out to really lock down underdog status.

I am pretty sure NSW and the bookies were still claiming favouritism for most of those series.

Of course we knew better. How many series do yo have to win before we acknowledge it's probably a very good team. Qld proclaiming underdog status is as likely as an injury during camp but 'miraculously' making the game...

Nat, you were calling yourself underdogs with no name players like Slater, Smith, Cronk, Inglis and Thurston playing. The sad part was, heaps of Qld supporters believed that was the case. The rest of us knew better then and we know better now.

Oh No, underdogs, we hate that! ;)

The same few star backs have hogged all the SOO spots for QLD for a decade or so. Now that these stars are gone/going, their experienced quality backs cupboard is bare. Just a few past utilities left ( Hunt & Morgan) and a big hope that Munster will develop into the next Wally or Cam Smith for QLD. So now is a full rebuild stage for QLD, and maybe a chance for NSW to dominate for a few years ? Although with all the ridiculous media hype around the NSW halves in the past couple of weeks, you never know what might happen this year. So far we have had the following being promoted as the best options as NSW halves this month - Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker, Luke Keary, Moses, Wighton, & Pearce. Basically any half that has one good game. I'm surprised Lachlan Croker wasn't mentioned this week ? All sorts of names being touted except of course the two halves that got NSW home last year in Cleary & Maloney ?

@ Admiral Ackbar "It's a trap!