- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
NSW threw game 1 away: leading and playing against 12 men with a dozen minutes to go, only to go down to a busted Queensland is an epic disaster.
There’s two ways to react to this. One is a calm and rational review of what worked and what didn’t, and a sensible tweak to what was a dominant team for most of the match.
This is the other way. It’s time to throw the toys out of the cot and the baby out with the bathwater. Let’s work through the 17 and make some super-reactive decisions.
James Tedesco has been a fine player but his Roosters form and Origin performance show a player trying hard for little impact. Thank you for your service Teddy, but it’s time for Dylan Edwards.
Brian To’o earned his keep and can stay. Josh Addo-Carr however, was off the pace and struggled for involvement. Campbell Graham is a form three-quarter and is wearing the 2 next game with To’o going back to his usual side.
Tom Trbojevic can be a weapon but for heaven’s sake, he needs someone to throw him the ball. Stephen Crichton makes way for a fit Latrell Mitchell.
The Penrith connection has been trialled and didn’t win the game, so both Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai get the flick. Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker offer much more unpredictability and both are in stellar form. Get them in there.
James Tedesco of the Blues is tackled during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Isaah Yeo is one of my favourite players, but Cam Murray offered much more when he came on. Without the Penrith connection in the halves Yeo is less essential as a link man, so he goes to the bench and Murray into the 13.
Liam Martin is the first forward picked and should start. Tyson Frizell did enough to hold his spot but the halves need to cut him out when there’s a move on because he does not pass. Hudson Young? On yer bike.
Junior Paulo needs to start. Payne Haas needs to start. Tevita Pangai Junior wasn’t terrible but he wasn’t great either. With Jake Trbojevic out for the series, TPJ might just hang on as an impact bench player with limited minutes.
Api Koroisau did plenty of work and deserves another crack. Damien Cook offers a real threat against a tiring defence so he gets a bench spot.
Reece Walsh of the Maroons is tackled during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Isaah Yeo can run as an extra middle or can cover back row or centre at a pinch. He gets a bench spot along with Cook and TPJ. Another big body is needed, so Stefano Utoikamanu gets a debut. Let’s see what he’s got. Matt Burton carries the drinks again as 18th man providing cover for pretty much anywhere in the backline.
All in, that gives a line-up of:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Campbell Graham
3. Tom Trbojevic
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Brian To’o
6. Cody Walker
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Junior Paulo
9. Api Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Liam Martin
13. Cam Murray
14. Damien Cook
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Tevita Pangai Junior
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
18. Matt Burton
And that leaves the coach.
Brad Fittler has been around a while and doesn’t seem to have a plan apart from “do what Penrith do”. But he’s not Ivan Cleary. Ivan isn’t the answer though, given we’ve given his Penrith 6, 7 and 13 the flick or the bench.
Jason Demetriou has shown he can get consistent performances from Walker and Mitchell, while turning Graham into a weapon and Souths into a team that can score from anywhere. That’s what Blues fans want to see.
So let’s park the reasonable response. This is no time to be sensible. Back yourselves NSW, and go for it!
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.