Another two teams bit the dust on the weekend as the seasons of both the Roosters and the Eels came to a crashing halt.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has wasted no time in adding nine more players to the NSW squad from the departing teams, bringing the squad to a total of 15 players with 12 more to come.
Joining the previously selected Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Payne Haas, Jake Trbojevic and Tyson Frizell and Daniel Saifiti are the following players.
Sydney Roosters
Boyd Cordner, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Angus Crichton and Daniel Tupou.
Parramatta Eels
Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell–Gillard, Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown.
The remaining 12 players required to make up the squad are expected to be named from the four teams still alive in the finals.
As I see it, the only real surprises in this latest tranche of squad additions are as follows:
The omission of Ryan Matterson, who has been named in most people’s squads ever since his inclusion as 18th man in the 2019 series.
Matterson has had a very good season, particularly earlier in the year, and had a solid game against Souths on Saturday.
Ryan Matterson. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Admittedly, his form has dropped off a little in recent weeks but this is partially attributable to the fact that the Eels’ right side attack has been stilted of late and have not been receiving early ball from Mitchell Moses.
It looks like Fittler has gone for the more physical Angus Crichton and Tyson Frizell as his first choice right edge forwards.
The omission of Mitchell Moses, who may have been a chance earlier in the season. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done enough in recent weeks to justify selection.
It’s expected that the 27-man squad will include at least five players who can play in the halves and hooker, plus two utility players.
With both Moses and Mitchell Pearce overlooked, Luke Keary and Cameron McInnes already selected, and Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook and Apisai Koroisau certain to be added to the squad in future weeks barring injury, it will be interesting to see who ends up filling the remaining two spots.
With three hookers named above, the last two will probably be halves, and my guess is that they will be South’s Cody Walker and Penrith’s Jarome Lui.
Alternatively, Fittler may opt to go with the option of playing Jack Wighton in the halves rather than at centre. Time will tell.
While not a surprise at any level, Clint Gutherson’s selection is certainly interesting, and his form has been simply irresistible in recent weeks.
Gutherson is never beaten and never off the ball and he has to be among the fittest players in the competition. Barring injury to James Tedesco, he’s almost no chance of playing fullback, and then there’s Ryan Papenhuyzen!
With the withdrawal of Tom Trbojevic who was first choice right centre for NSW last year, I suspect that Fittler will use Gutherson in the run on side, most likely at right centre, or if not, on the right wing. I think that Ryan Papenhuyzen will fill one of the bench spots and be brought on to terrorise the tiring QLD forwards.
Having Tedesco, Gutherson and Papenhuyzen on the field together would spell triple trouble for the QLD side, who are themselves struggling to put a quality team together.
Stay tuned for more selection surprises next week after two more teams are eliminated from the premiership race. NSW lost Blake Ferguson to injury last week and injuries could play a further part in the final shape of the NSW squad. It may well be a case of last man standing.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He is a great metre eater at the start of sets on kick returns, one of the key requirements for success at Origin level.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes, surprised that Graham wasn't there but perhaps he'll be a late addition. Matterson is probably paying the penalty for the Eels poor right edge form over the last month.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Matto was a bit stiff to miss out. He’s faded a bit in the back half of the season but he offers something a bit different Cordner, Frizell, Crichton are all great players but they’re all pretty straight up and down. Having someone like Matterson or Graham that can play different styles or positions off the bench based on how the games travelling is pretty valuable
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m cringing when I see all these NSW fans saying “Qld’s got nothin’, 3-0“ We won last year’s series in the 80th minute of game 3 I think Queensland will be better than last year and you could make an argument that there are several NSW players in worse form and condition than last year. It won’t be easy at all That’s why this idea of shuffling the tea around and experimenting doesn’t sit completely right. This is a unique series given the time of year and we don’t want to be taking it lightly in the slightest
Big Daddy
Guest
TB, I'm with you there re Wighton and the other 3 for the centre's. I believe it's between Walker and Keary for 5/8 and the loser may get the bench spot. It's not as though Qld will be fielding comparable centre's and there will be only 1 bench spot for a back it's just a matter of either Gutherson, Papenhouzen and whoever misses out on 5/8 for the bench spot. Qld strength will be their forwards and whoever Fittler picks can do the job but taking Qld lightly has backfired before.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Excellent analysis and a good read.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cheers, on balance I think I’d keep Wighton in the centres I think it’s easier to find a quality 6 than a quality centre I agree he’s the best 6 around but I think the team is better balanced with him at centre I’ve got a lot of time for Crichton, Lomax, Staggs but they’ve all got gaps in their game at the moment If Cotric plays Origin after the season can the Dogs count him as theirs :silly: ?
Greg
Roar Pro
hope not
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm with you BD. At least 3 of the bench players should be capable of covering multiple positions, leaving the run-on 13 to play in the normal roles. If a team is lacking quality in a certain position, as NSW was last year in the centres, then bring in a fullback or winger, butnot otherwise.
Tony
Roar Guru
:happy:
matth
Roar Guru
We are the innovators. Look at our new, exciting young rookie coach. I'll bet he will bring a few fresh ideas.
Big Daddy
Guest
Paul, I'm a bit old school and don't like to play players out of position. I'd certainly have guys like Wighton and either Crighton or Lomax as specialist centre's and Cotric and Addo Carr as wingers then play either Papenhouzen, Gutherson or Walker as a bench player. You can't fit them all in but Fittler has a history of playing guys out of position even though there not the best player in that position.
Tony
Roar Guru
Brilliant. Why didn't NSW think of that.
matth
Roar Guru
QLD's cunning plan to keep it's player's free from further injury by playing absolutely no part in the finals is coming to fruition, beware!
Tony
Roar Guru
Tupou is probably lucky to make the squad but his aerial skills are attractive. I doubt if we'll see him in the final 17.
astro
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with the 'non-selection' of Moses and Matterson. Yes, both played well in the first half of the season, but that was Parra's problem. They played the weaker teams early on and emerged as early front runners, only to come back to earth once playing the top teams... But have to say, how Daniel Tupou gets a look in is beyond me. He's talented for sure, but so inconsistent and unreliable. His ball carries are loose, his defense is hot and cold and he gambles too much on intercepts, he pushes the pass that its there...basically everything you dont want someone doing during a SOO game.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well BB, that was a fiver well spent... ;) :thumbup:
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Yes, have to have Wighton. His strength and aggression are, dare I say it, ...."made for origin"
Tony
Roar Guru
I still like the idea of George Rose as an immortal though
Nat
Roar Rookie
That's the beauty of our game, there is a position for all sizes but size does matter for some positions.