Kalyn Ponga included as Wayne Bennett names first 15 players in Maroons Origin squad

Mentally and physically the players going deep into finals maybe behind those that have had an early rest. Imagine winning or losing the GF and then trying to mentally and physically get up for a condensed SOO series. I remember when Broncos were killing it at NRL they would often lose Origin then they would win when not going as well? If you get players around a different group all with something to play for they can be easily inspired to go above and beyond over a short period especially players like Hess, Coats, Kerr and Fotuaika that have natural physical ability above others.

Paul, it is a little confusing isn't it. If it's the same article I read it asks you to pick both NSW and Qld teams with a list of players that include both Graham and Klemmer. But who really picks / runs SOO - NSWRL or QRL or even the NRL. It's all very confusing who runs what.

The Cowboys came 13th in 2001. Bennett coached QLD selecting Buttigieg, Doyle, Bowman, Fien. Won the series. Old Champion at 9, Wagon 6 and Green7 against Priddis, Fittler and Kimmorley. I think Harry Grant, DCE and Munster better than the 2001 spine. Watch out for game 3? Might be a big surprise with a retirement return to bring home the crown. NSW unbeatable favourites just the way we like it.

Real 1995 areas. Qld teams non-existent (except for Gold Coast). Sweating on a Knights fullback to step up. Putting some Sydney-based nobodies on the wings. Bringing in a kid who's played less than 20 games.

Lots of players do play out the season with a torn labrum and have surgery in the off season, the majority of shoulder dislocations occur with a torn labrum, so any player returning to play post a dislocated shoulder without surgery will almost definitely have a torn labrum

Don't get me wrong, he's still the best and as a Qlder I'd love to see him there. But the depth we have at hooker vs just about every other position is ludicrous. I'd be tempted to pick one of them out of position. Just assuming they'll find a spot for Hunt, so that'll leave two of Mahoney, Friend and Grant missing out entirely, which is a tragedy given the plodders they'll be forced to pick out wide.

the 27th Qld player would be pretty average even in the best of times We are actually looking pretty decent as a team, though we have a problem in the centres.

I read a piece in the NRL website that suggested Klemmer and Wade Graham were still chances to make the NSW squad, even though they weren't originally named by Freddy. If that's right, then I'm guessing players can be added OR dropped.

I think they have to pick 27 because they all have to go into a bubble. They will select a team from them but the others have to stay in case of injury/form... They can't just call someone in without quarantine.

And only one is a realistic shot. Qld is above the NRL (not hard to do this yr), I rather more players from winning clubs.

The sum of all NSW fears. :laughing: If Mal got the gig I would be more confident that Smithy would do it for him. Bennett won't bother looking backwards. I'd settle for Grant in any case.

Depends really. If being in a winning team mattered so much Thurston would’ve played half as many origins as he did. The bigger worry is the number of seemingly average players that have been picked. Perhaps someone could clarify for me but are the 15 definitely part of the squad, or could they still be dropped as more players become available and the squad is finalised?

They definitely do with Cowboys / Broncs in the bottom threr

Goodness me. Hess is really poor. Hymel Hunt is average, Edrick is a role player but I suppose you can send high balls at him. Holmes is out of form, but I suppose I’d still pick him. Ponga is busted. Coates will be great ... one day. The only ones there I really like are Carrigan, Cherry Evans, AJ and Grant. I’m omitting Ponga as he’s injured and should not play. I’m lacking confidence this time around.

I'd be tempted to take someone like Harry Grant and turn him into a makeshift centre, putting Gagai back on the wing. There's some decent players in the hooker position who'll miss out entirely while some deadset mediocrity makes it into the outside backs

They still have 12 to pick, so if there's a Qlder still playing, they'll be there too. Big question is whether they've tempted Smith to come out of retirement

what has to be a concern for Qld fans is how many players Bennett has named from teams in the bottom portion of the comp. 15 versus 6 Blues players. I guess you only need 17 for each game and there are still another dozen or so to be named, but NSW must have an edge on guys playing for winning Club teams already.

in bennets last stint he played an extra middle forward (civonoceva in the second row) and an extra small player on the bench (an impact center and hooker) wonder if he'll do something similarly out of the box Xavier coates would be a good impact bench option

I suspect Mulitalo might have missed out on his defence, his tackle efficiency is a lowly 67% for the season

Our best side? So with Ponga in doubt and Holmes perhaps missing a game -------------------------------Ponga/Brimson---------------------------------------- --Edrick Lee-----Aj Brimson/Branko Lee---------Dane Gagai--------Holmes/Sami- ----------------------------Munster-----DCE----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------Carrigan-------------------------------------------- -------------------------Tino------------------Kaufusi-------------------------------- -----------Papali------------------Grant-------------Welch------------------------- Bench: Ben Hunt, Moeaki Fotuaika, Collins, Arrow I would put Josh Mcguire in there and Mulitalo on the wing personally