What to expect in the Origin decider

Fair call. and agree completely with Mitchell, I think he got above himself there taking things for granted a bit, become really complacent last few weeks. I can see him coming around though, he'll play well against the Storm. I still believe Maloney doesn't need another player with too much organizational skill so Pearce will be no good! Keary if fit should automatically be there. Wade Graham also fits the bill set up a couple of tries in just 40 minutes in the position. And not sure what they're going to do with Klemmer being available for game 3

All solid questions mate, and I always appreciate how you manage to fit Souths in somewhere. If Keary if fit he could be a walk up start, but he's just come back from another head knock, I'm not too sure I would throw him into the SOO decider this year. If he keeps going for another 12 months then he should be a shoe in next year, for mine it's a bit too risky now for this year. Sure Graham is playing out of position at 5/8, but there are far worse picks for the halves (cough Pearce cough cough). The big question is that if Maloney got taken out would Graham be able to get us home. Maybe, but it's a maybe. Stick Chad Townsend in the game though and that answer becomes a resounding yes.

No Pearce now, he’s been ducking and weaving and now wants to play with the hard work done for him? And not Keary, his head is a smackdown magnet now.

Could work, or Wighton to 6 and Mitchell back in?

Throwing Wighton the no. 6 jersey when he has only played about that many games in that position is fraught with danger at elite rep level. Besides, his defence is hit and miss at best. Wighton's tackle efficiency hovered around the 75% for both games. In game 1 he had 6 tackles and 1 missed tackle and in game 2 Wighton had 7 tackles and 2 missed tackles... after 80 mins!! So he went backwards defensively! Wighton is a running 5/8 at best with no organisational ability and a very limited kicking game. If that was the sole prerequisite then Cody Walker would still be a better option. Luke Keary is clearly the best choice IMO to replace Cleary. Keary can play both HB and 5/8, he can organise the attack and has a much improved kicking game. If he is still "Out of Order" upstairs then Wade Graham would still be a better option than Mitchell Pearce and Luke Brooks should be used as an emergency last resort only ahead of Pearce. Either way, for game 3, Latrell Mitchell needs to be picked at left centre but that won't happen, Fittler will keep Wighton in that position. As the old saying goes, "pride comes before a fall".

I'd move Jack to 5/8 and bring back Latrell. qld will get 5 new backstage exit doors

I've played that angle to death already Pickett and have hammered that punchline in recent weeks. So in a sense that gag is in my shadow but I'll give you a thumbs up for second place. You should be used to that being a chooks supporter. ;-)

Keary enhanced his hand eye coordination and evasive skills at Sou ffs by ducking phones.

Yeah, the turning point for Queensland was the kick off. Sometimes you have an inexplicably bad game against an opponent that has a great game. Game 3 will be a pearler.

I expect Kefusi, Gillett, McGuire and Munster to be zeroing in on Maloney like a missile. They will be told to TAKE OUT MALONEY. Legal or otherwise.

I'd give Pearce a go, his form this part of the season has been exceptional, and only injury has stymied his latter efforts.

Btw Paul, is that you at the TOP of the "Tipping Leaderboard"? Bloody smart ass! ;-)

Fair point. I was assuming of course Keary would be cleared to play and have the on-field performance to justify his selection. I have to say though that if there is this much concern for Keary due to back to back concussions, how in the hell is James Graham still playing for your Dragons? He has had more concussions during his career than the next 3 most concussed players combined! At 27 years old Keary is ready to go if fit, it's not like he needs to be wrapped in cotton wool if he is clear to play from a medical standpoint. Unless he goes gun shy like you say. Now that he is playing for the Roosters and wrapped in cashmere he may have gone soft! ;-)

Papi, I think Fittler needs to see how Keary goes, assuming he plays this weekend. I've played with guys who have been whacked around the head and few blokes have become "gun shy", not really willing to mix it up as Keary was, prior to his injury. If he can play as he was prior to getting hurt, by all means put him in the squad, but if looks at all hesitant, I'd leave him to next year and look at other options

I'm not a fan of playing players out of position, especially in Origin. Sooner or later they will be exposed and exploited. Turbo may be an exception to this but only because he was given a roving commission to play like a second FB in attack and because he is an exceptional attacking talent. For the record I did say a couple of years ago that Turbo was destined to play in the centres which would be his best position as he matures as a player and improves his defence. Although Graham did a decent job filling in at 5/8 to replacing Cleary with Maloney shifting to HB he has not played consistently in that position since first coming to the Sharks in 2011. Let me ask you this DB, if Luke Keary were playing for the Sharks which of the two would you play at 5/8? When fit Keary is one of the best 5/8's in the game (courtesy of his years at the Rabbitohs) and is the incumbent Australian 5/8. For that reason, if he is cleared to play, I would play him in the halves with Maloney and then, going forward, Keary will partner Cleary in the halves IMO.

Why not let Graham play 6 and Maloney 7? Worked in the second half. Opens up the bench for Klemmer.

So it's official. Nathan Cleary has definitely been ruled out of game 3. Nathan Cleary ankle injury to keep Blues half sidelined for up to four weeks https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nathan-cleary-ruled-out-of-state-of-origin-game-3-with-ankle-injury/e68f31d4-db37-4a1f-97de-cfdc1db2ecbb That being the case, amd provided he is fit and cleared to play, Luke Keary should be an automatic selection to replace Cleary. If Keary is not available I would give either Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker or Luke Brooks a shot ahead of Mitchell Pearce who has ducked being considered for selection twice now as he realises the he is the Blue albatross around NSW's neck.