I have seen a lot of journalists, fans and experts release their NSW and Queensland Origin sides based on form and if the players were all fit, so I have decided to jump on that trend and show who I would pick if I was Brad Fittler.
My fullback would have to be James Tedesco, who has won back-to-back premierships with the Roosters. He won NSW Game 3 in 2019 with a try that sealed the series 2-1, and he did it again in the 2019 grand final.
Tedesco has played six games in 2020, scoring four tries, forcing one goal-line drop-out and notching three try assists. He is averaging 246 running metres.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
My wingers would be Josh Addo-Carr, who has always proved to be a great finisher with 66 tries in 91 games, and Blake Ferguson, who has also proved his ability to score tries and set up tries. All you have to do is check the 2019 Game 3 when he threw the winning pass to Tedesco.
My centres would be Josh Morris and Tom Trbojevic. Morris is a very good defensive centre but he also knows how to score tries and Tom Trbojevic is a tall, lanky fellow who scored a hat trick in Origin at Optus Stadium in Perth.
If Morris wasn’t to come back to Origin then Jack Wighton could fit into that centre position for the experienced centre.
My five-eighth would be Luke Keary, who has been banging on the door of Origin for a couple of years now. You only have to look at his 2018 grand final performance where he won the Clive Churchill Medal.
Nathan Cleary is the obvious choice for the halfback position even though Mitchell Pearce and Mitchell Moses have been playing extremely good footy. His performances so far in 2020 have been exceptional.
My props would be Junior Paulo, who currently leads the offloading list, and Daniel Saifiti. Both have been eating up the metres at their respective clubs, the Eels and the Knights.
My second-rowers would be Cameron Murray and Boyd Cordner. Their efforts in the last couple of years at club and Origin level, along with their performances this year, speak for themselves.
My dummy-half would be Damien Cook, whose speed and footy knowledge along with his defence makes him very dangerous for the opposition.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
My lock would be Jake Trbojevic, whose defence and ball-playing ability has made him very dangerous in attack. He has linked with brother Tom Trbojevic on a couple of occasions this year.
My bench players would be Victor Radley, Payne Haas, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Wade Graham, which speaks for itself.
A few players who just missed out would be Kotoni Staggs, Latrell Mitchell, Mitch Moses, Ryan Matterson and David Klemmer along with other players as well, who have been playing very good footy.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t know about form but I think the team will be something like Tedesco JAC Wighton Trbojevic Ferguson Keary Cleary Klemmer Cook Saifiti Cordner Crichton Trbojevic Murray Vaughan Frizell Graham That’s pretty conservative but I don’t think the blues need to take too many risks with selections Next tier of players will be: Paulo, RCG, Haas, McInnes, Mitchell, Pearce, Finucane I think the Morris’ have retired from rep footy but I’d have them in that group too
Rube
Guest
Not much worse
King in the north
Roar Rookie
Great work Anton. As a proud Queenslander I’m compelled to return fire with my Maroons team, based on form: Cameron Smith. Still some time for the available starting 17 to find form though... Cheers
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
You could do worse than Cotric on the wing.
egbert
Guest
Sort of, they only played together in the first game of that series. And I bet it was really nice.
chris
Guest
Mate they won in 2014 together
Anton Taylor
Roar Guru
I agree but Origin is way faster than the club footy at the moment. Still would be great to see them back in the Blues jumper...
egbert
Guest
Yep I think Brett Morris may have the edge on Blake Ferguson at this point. Would be really nice for the Morris brothers to win a series together, if they're asked by Fittler I think they'll accept, despite apparent retirement. And yes Klemmer needs to start, and Cameron Murray is not a second-rower, as recent club appearances there have shown. If Radley was fit I would say Murray would struggle to get a run this year, but as it is, Murray is on the bench with Trbojevic starting at 13. If the Sharks continue to improve then I think Wade Graham is in the second row, while Matterson is also close. Fittler won't drop Addo-Carr, apart from anything else there is his 'infectious character in camp' etc etc. Hard to leave out Wighton too.
Crow
Roar Pro
The Morris brothers are playing good footy however they have both retired from representative football.
Crow
Roar Pro
Haas is a fine choice. Great attack and a good defender.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Age should not rule out the Morris brothers. They are playing their best footy I've ever seen.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
My halves would be Wighton 6, Keary 7.
kk
Roar Pro
Anton, The serious injuries sustained by players in season 2020* is alarming.With more than half a season of H&A games plus finals yet to be completed it may be prudent to delay Origin selection until it is known how many survivors are available and in form.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Gutherson deserves the 14..would kill it.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
every "expert" bagged Fittler for making changes after a loss, and no changes after a win. They also had Wade Graham at 6 for game 3.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Fullback and halves pick themselves Ferguson hasn't scored a try all season. Addo Carr is playing well below his reputation. The kid at the Sharks and Topou at the Roosters are just two of many in better form (excluding Morris boys as they are retired from rep footy). No issue with your starting pack (even though Saifiti had a shocker last week). Cook isn't playing well, but I can't see an alternative.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Not a bad squad, but without Brett Morris I wondered if you were serious. Can't pick Josh and not Brett, because he's more above other available wingers than Josh is above other centres and in such great form. Klemmer also needs to be in there and you need a back reserve on the bench.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The only form player on the bench who is available is RCG. Can't wait for the usual round of ''expert'' advice again this year for the selectors. Luckily form isn't the only criteria . Most of them were rummaging around in the attic for a straight jacket for Fittler, last year, when he made the crazzzzy decision to select his centres out of position. '' QLD would never be so silly'' was the war cry. ''They never would have dropped Mitchell''
AnonLurker
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t seem to be based on form . Haas has been outplayed by opposing props and lock all year . Cook and graham wouldn’t be picked if selection based on form