It is that time of the year when the lounge room warriors pick their State of Origin teams, so here goes.
Queensland since day dot have built their success on combinations, with the core of their teams coming from the Broncos, Storm and Cowboys. They’re players who play with each other week in, week out, and their combinations set in stone through club, state and Australian representation.
This is the basis of my Blues team. I have limited the number of teams we are pulling our players from, and 50/50 decisions have gone the way of the player who has played with the other team members before.
SOS preparation is limited and therefore there’s not the time to meet and greet. My team combines loyalty, form and combinations.
Starting 13
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupuo
- Latrell Mitchell
- Jack Wighton
- Josh Ado-Carr
- Luke Keary
- Adam Reynolds
- David Klemmer
- Damien Cook
- Paul Vaughan
- Boyd Cordner
- Tyson Frizzell
- Jake Trbojevic
Substitutes
- Mitch Aubusson
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Angus Crighton
- Tariq Sims
Emergencies
- Cameron Murray
- Tyronne Peachey
Blues players and fans (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
1. James Tedesco
He picks himself. He will excel with the combinations around him. He will benefit from playing with Damien Cook for a second year. He was last year’s ‘real’ player of the series.
2. Daniel Tupuo
He’s been there before. Blake Ferguson is in form but failed to show for preseason Blues bonding and has a history in camp. Tupuo has the combination with the Roosters left edge, which is important on both attack and defence. With Adam Reynolds’s kicking game and Tupou being the best in the air, they will be a constant threat.
3. Latrell Mitchell
He’s in form, he just needs to get involved.
4. Jack Wighton
He’s just ahead of Josh Morris. With Aubusson on the bench to cover centre, he provides cover for Tedesco and Keary. He started his career in the centres and he provides speed, strength and skill.
5. Josh Ado-Carr
He had a great year last year and he’s a great finisher and ball returner.
Josh Addo-Carr of the Blues (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
6. Luke Keary
He’s the form player and Churchill Medalist. He’s ahead of Cody Walker because of his combination with Tedesco and the Roosters left side, and he has also played with Adam Reynolds, so he links with the Souths connection. Don’t underestimate the importance of a spine that has combinations.
7. Adam Reynolds
He’s also ahead of Cody Walker, who is too similar to Luke Keary. Reynolds is an organiser who has the ability to kick Queensland to death. He is the link to both Cook and Keary. The combination with Crighton won’t hurt either. He has played SOS before so won’t be starry-eyed.
8. David Klemmer
Tough and strong. Enough said.
9. Damien Cook
He was possibly the stand-out player last series, perhaps with Tedesco – and that’s despite Origin judges voting for, Slater who played just two games. Honestly, is Slater still a chance despite being retired? He will be better again after playing with Tedesco last year and having his Souths teammate Reynolds calling the shots.
Damien Cook of the Blues (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
10. Paul Vaughan
He was there last year and got the job done.
11. Boyd Cordner
Captain and a member of Roosters left edge.
12. Tyson Frizell
He was there last year and he’s an impact player.
13. Jake Trbojevic
Again, he was there last year and he takes pressure off the halves. He’s an automatic selection.
Jake Trbojevic of the Blue (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
14. Victor Radley
He’s a geniune second-rower but also cover for Cook. He gets the nod over Cameron Murray just on size – Murray is an 80-minute player, while the bench will need impact.
15. Mitch Aubuuson
He has utility value plus combines with the Rooster connection. He won’t be wasted on the bench as he can get in and roll up his sleeves and make a thousand tackles while the big boys take a breather.
16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
He was there last year and he’s a big bopper who will provide impact off the bench.
17. Tariq Sims
He gets the nod based on last year.
Tariq Sims of the Dragons (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
18. Cameron Murray
He’s in form and the perfect 18th man. He can slot into the team with strong combinations with Cook and Reynolds. He’s unlucky to miss a spot.
19. Tyronne Peachey
I would have him on standby on the night in case of any last-minute warm-up mishaps. He is down on form and playing frustrated; however, he was great on the bench last year and should be in and around the team.
There are four debutants, but three are from the Roosters and have played grand finals and will be surrounded by familiar faces. It was a 50/50 with Jack Wighton over Josh Morris. Jack has size, speed and skill, but he isn’t currently playing centre, plus he may just be keeping Tommy Turbo’s spot warm.
On the other hand Josh Morris has been there and done that and would be this year not marking Greg Inglis. Josh wouldn’t be a starry-eyed debutant. I have gone with Jack purely on form, and it is a good time to make his debut, with so many experienced players around him.
It was a really tough call to leave out James Maloney and Nathan Cleary. Maloney is a proven big-match winner, but Luke Keary also has two premierships to his name and is in form, plus he’s part of the winning Roosters left edge.
With Nathan Cleary it was tough – he is young and going to get much better, but with Maloney gone he lacks cohesion with the rest of the team. Adam Reynolds has been there before, combines well with Cook and Keary and is coming from a winning environment.
The bench, with playing two all-rounders in Radley and Aubusson, does lack a player like Cody Walker who could put the fear of god into a tiring pack, but Radley may be able to provide Cook with a breather to allow him to come back on and use his speed on tiring forwards.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Yeah I honestly think Pearce is done for. And George who? I thought Michael Crocker retired years ago? I'd assign the right side Centre vacancy to Jesse Ramien who has been outstanding for the Sharks last year and the Knights this year - he is dangerous in attack and punishing in defense. The halves - I just can't pick Cleary. I wouldn't be too upset if they kept Maloney but they should have Keary at 7 and Walker at 6 to go with the rest of the spine in Tedesco and Cook. The right wing should have Addo-Carr and left a Daniel Tupou or Nick Cotric - END
Matty E
Roar Rookie
Your team is pretty decent but RCG better play amazing next week to have any chance. And aubo, I don't even know how his name is getting thrown around in the origin conversation....
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed. He’s not anywhere near as effective as last season. Murray is streets ahead on 19 form...
Rob
Guest
Picking good players and throw them in wherever they fit is better then picking players based on position. Why dont they get this.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I'd have Jesse Ramien in place of Whighton and Maloney at 6, but don't mind if they pick Reynolds. Dale Finucane needs to be somewhere in there. Otherwise, very strong team that can tear opposition sides to shreds
theHunter
Guest
I agree with Mr. Bebi. I still believe Maloney can get the job done. Keeping the consistency of selection is very important as sometimes it's the bond, understanding and combinations created through consistency that breaks the game open. Bringing new players into an already winning side is stupid. It brings new combinations in, different game styles, defense set-ups and the need to build up chemistry between the playing group. Maroons lost the series last year but I don't see them changing their halves pairing from the third game because they actually won that game. When will Blues ever learn to at least keep faith in some players especially to those who had won the game for us? This is starting to feel like 2015 all over again when Blues won the 2014 series with two in form halves only to be dropped the following year because their team weren't doing well and see where that took us! Maloney (espeically) and Cleary should be given the chance to defend what they won and earned.
Peter Bebi
Guest
The ONLY solution for the Big Blues to defend the champion tag is to be consistent in team selection because last years champion team had established a strong combination and understanding and bonding between themselves and it took a long while for Coach Fitler to assemble the new blood into the team and that was resulted in success. The mentality about a player should not be selected because his team is not performing well in the NRL is not right . A player is doing his personal best to be in form but is let down by his team and he is in a team that is not performing well does not necessary mean that he should not be selected. A player should be assessed based on his individual performance ,Trust and experience are important ingredients for the team. I am a loyal NSW fan have closely monitored the NRL games so far and would like to encourage NSW coach Fitler to maintain the same team that won him the title in 2018. A player should be replaced IF he is injured . The half combination is key and coach Fitler will maintain Maloney as a leading player with experience in big time football and he will deliver on that. Another player who should be considered is Mitchel Pearce who has hit form at the right time and has the experience and definitely would combine well with Pearce as they have played together before I am sure coach Fitler will find a place for Pearce because when both maloney , Pearce are masters of their own and when you have the experiences halves together is a perfect combination . For Roberts in the centres , George Duckin and Michael Crocker of Raiders can be considered as options. CONSISTENCY is KEY to SUCCESS! Peter Bebi Former Chairman of PNG Kumul Selectors
Sometimes Steve
Guest
Fittler won't pick him but Josh Jackson didn't deserve the chop last year and had been fantastic through the middle this year.
Marty
Guest
He's publishing an article, not posting a tweet.
Big Daddy
Guest
Give the guy a break he's selecting a SOO team not sitting for an English exam.
Mama
Guest
Paul Vaughan (like Nic Cotric) is ACT born, bred and raised (never lived in NSW till 22) and should not be eligible for SOO. He fails the NRL's own criteria (check the website) but NRL has such a laissez faire rule for eligibility why not let the Burgess trio play for NSW as well. Who can forget Inglis from northern nSW and Folau from Sydneys west playing for Qld to allow Qld to break the NSW stranglehold on SOO.
zim
Guest
Just for those that have't followed Wighton's career as they don't support the raiders: He played his junior footy at 5/8 including junior Kangaroos. 2012 debuted on the wing for 6 games before moving to centres for 3. 2013 switched back and forth between wing (8 games) and centre (9 games). 2014 started at 5/8 (9 games) before moving back to the centres (8 games) and finishing the year at fullback (3 games). 2015 switched full time to fullback. 2019 made the full time switch to 5/8.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure Cotric been named at right center this week...wouldn’t be surprised if that’s a Freddie request,he’s a known fan...Wighton at 14 for me as back line cover..
Greg
Guest
Except Valentine Holmes who scored 11 tries in two games playing next to Dugan in the World Cup.....Dugan is also a previous Brad Fitler medallist for best NSW player in a series, he's always performed at rep level
TJ
Guest
When it come's to rep footy Dugan does seem to go up a gear. Just don't think him and Fergo in the same side is a good idea.
Bumsy
Roar Rookie
100% agree, Fittler if you are reading this please consider DCE Cronk Sandow Smith McCullough Todd Carney Jamie Soward or Jarrod Mullen for selection before Adam Reynolds.
mushi
Roar Guru
As a qlder I'm fully supportive of those two selections
mushi
Roar Guru
Do you also know what has a correlation similar to 40/20s and scoring margin. Things like the colour of socks the coach wore, the choice of veggies for dinner that night etc. Your primary long kicker though is your most influential defensive player.
RandyM
Guest
"When did rugby league become rugby union where you pick a half who can kick at elite level and everything else is average? " sounds like Cleary to me...
RandyM
Guest
please no Dugan. I don't think a winger has ever touched a steeden standing outside of Dugan.