State of Origin 2

[EF, What else?]

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

Actually, I reckon he has been uncharacteristically quiet this season and his form has been patchy. He has developed a rather bad habit of positioning himself well under the high balls and then letting them bounce. Not good. He'll bounce back... he's a champion.

Woah, Im not saying that Hunt shouldn't be fullback, either him or Lockyer I would have been happy, but what does S Berrigan offer from the bench, he dosn't add anything to the Queenslander attack from the bench, why didn't they decide to play Bowen at the back of each half? Every single game he has played for QLD in this role he has been extremely dangerous. Berrigan does not deserve his spot in the team.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

Woah, Im not saying that Hunt shouldn't be fullback, either him or Lockyer I would have been happy, but what does S Berrigan offer from the bench, he dosn't add anything to the Queenslander attack from the bench, why didn't they decide to play Bowen at the back of each half? Every single game he has played for QLD in this role he has been extremely dangerous. Berrigan does not deserve his spot in the team.

You make a good point, and I'm sure it's something they struggled with. I'd say at the end of the day, they went with Berrigan because of his recent form being better than that of Bowen. Bowen is a great strike player, but in slumpy form. Berrigan is a consistent player (with better defence) in good form. If form was reversed, I have no doubt he would be there in place of Berrigan.

In terms of what he offers to the bench: form, solid defense, and ability to play any position on the field except Prop. But as Shockwave said - Bowen will bounce back.

[billyb35]

QLD selectors, namely Gene Miles, are risk takers/punters from way back.

I think Shaun Berrigan is one of the only genuine footballers in the QLD team. Great utility and can play above his weight superbly in any position.

In context, the product of the Hunt/Lockyer combination is greater than any individual performance Matt Bowen can supply to the team. Hunt also brings stronger kick return ability.

What I don't get, especially considering the way the NSW team plays, is having two specialist centres (Steve Bell and Brent Tate) playing on the wing, WTF?

QLD seems to have a wealth of specialist backs and a lightweight forward pack. Whereas NSW have a strong, experienced pack and an accomplished backline who come from teams that play similar styles of football.

PREDICTION: QLD will play one off football x 4 tackles then spread to K Hunt second man play hoping to create extra man because that is what the Broncos do week in week out. Percentage football gets teams into Top Four consistently but will fail to win Origins or Premierships. With the likes of Gasnier and Tahu in the 3/4s you've got no chance of winning that way.

NSW will spread the ball, devastate our tired big men then punch through out wide.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by billyb35

PREDICTION: QLD will play one off football x 4 tackles then spread to K Hunt second man play hoping to create extra man because that is what the Broncos do week in week out. Percentage football gets teams into Top Four consistently but will fail to win Origins or Premierships. With the likes of Gasnier and Tahu in the 3/4s you've got no chance of winning that way.

It doesn't just get you in to top 4. It gets you in to first. ;) NSW lost the second half 16-3 in the first origin remember - pretty much all of which came from out wide, Gasnier and Tahu couldn't stop it. Don't read to much in to the first half. Put that down to inexperienced forwards going in blindfolded against experienced guys.

Originally Posted by billyb35

NSW will spread the ball, devastate our tired big men then punch through out wide.

I don't see any NSW backs worrying our blokes. They didn't in Origin 1, and they won't now. They won through the forwards in Origin 1, something that guys like Tony Carroll will fix this time round (ala how the Bulldogs had nothing against the Broncos pack and got punished for relying to much on their forwards).

The defence of Bell, Tate and Hodges won't get worried by any of the backs from NSW, and with Hunt as the last line, size of their backs or forwards won't be as big of an issue this time round.

Originally Posted by billyb35

What I don't get, especially considering the way the NSW team plays, is having two specialist centres (Steve Bell and Brent Tate) playing on the wing, WTF?

FYI - Bell is playing in the Centres (not Wing) with Tate on the wing (ala his Test position)

PREDICITON: Close game. If the QLD forward pack can match the NSW pack in go forward and defense, the class of the QLD halves and backs will proove to much for NSW up the ruck and out wide. At Lang Park, with Queenslanders growing 10 feet tall on home soil, expect fireworks and power from the QLD forwards, and a rejuvinated QLD back line. However, if Hodges, Inglis and Carroll are all ruled out - expect a bigger strugle as these 3 would be big losses.

Either way - gotta love Origin

[gozza]

go the blues

[willow 1]

Go The Blues!!!!even Though I Live Qld,nsw Team Are Good!!!cheers!!!

[gozza]

yeah im in brissie but lived in NSW for most of my life

[Tony xa]

I live in WA and find myself more of a player fan than a state fan eg like nsw forward pack and like qld backs .I think nsw power game will get them the series but qld hopefully will win game 2 with backline excitment .
Lockyer will benifit from karmicheal being at fullback as he will take alot of workload off him and he seems to do alot of on feild talk for his players .Caroll is a big bonus as his defence will slow down and stop nsw go forward .
Good luck QLD

[northey]

I'm a big Matt Bowen fan but he didn't deserve a place. His work rate even in club football is poor.
When he sorts himself out and puts in the work that everyone else does he will be a devastating player.

Toni Carroll is a good player but throws a LOT of stupid panic passes. He can be a very costly player for Qld.

Webby is still not at his best in club footy. I don't think he's regained his confidence yet after missing quite a few games last/this season.
He needs to get in and smash someone in a tackle then knock out a player or two. THEN we'll see him back on track.
Lockyer needs some help and when he gets it we'll see the Darren Lockyer of old playing great football and leading the way.

Qld are going to do it hard in my view because they are outsized by NSW.
But not outskilled.

And for what it's worth.

QLD TO WIN.

[EF, What else?]

Adam Mogg in to replace Inglis. Now that came out of left field, who would have seen that one coming?

[Deadman]

Indeed, that was random. Haven't seen much of him this season (didn't really think to look because I never thought he was an chance for Origin). I guess his form's been good enough to be noticed to be picked, and he looks like he's big enough for the job.

Anyone got any feedback on him?

[EF, What else?]

Have to be honest, I havn't paid any attention to him whatsoever. Does anyone know how he has been playing? One positive is at least they've picked a specialist winger and not another centre.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

One positive is at least they've picked a specialist winger and not another centre.

He's been filling in as a Centre quite a bit this season (more than half the games he's played I believe) but yeah, his usual position is Wing, hopefully he hasn't lost the touch from playing Centre so often for the Raiders this year

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Now our hit man Tonie Carroll is out, replaced by Jacob Lillyman ???

[EF, What else?]

Alright, who has Alfie's number? Lillyman, while in decent enough form, is no Tony Carroll. And it looks like Hodges won't make the game either.

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

And it looks like Hodges won't make the game either.

That's OK, they will find some obscure, never heard of, inexperienced debutant to replace him with. Seems to be their strategy.

[EF, What else?]

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

That's OK, they will find some obscure, never heard of, inexperienced debutant to replace him with. Seems to be their strategy.

I sure hope so, Ive been waiting beside my phone all day! :

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

I sure hope so, Ive been waiting beside my phone all day! :

Edit: Nominate your preferred position so the selectors can put you somewhere else to!

[EF, What else?]

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

Edit: Nominate your preferred position so the selectors can put you somewhere else to!

Good thinking, instead of nominating a position, I'l just make it clear I want to start on the bench, they'll have to let me run on then! :

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

Alright, who has Alfie's number?

Mate, with the way things are going, you'll need Wally's, Gillie's, Tallis's... : Oh actually - if Hodges is ruled out - Meninga can just run on

[WILDTRAKPX2]

The latest from the Fox web site...

[EF, What else?]

Oh my God! Id like to thank jesus, and mum and dad, who I wouldnt be here without. Um, oh my god, this is so sudden, the pet bird, how could I forget you? Who else have I forgotten to thank? The Queensland selectors, for showing faith in me, even though I havn't played in a competition for 2 years.

[Deadman]

haha, classic I wish... So long as I get the No. 7 :P

[EF, What else?]

I've just reliased again that Origin 3 is in Melbourne, Queensland only have to win this game, dosn't matter how ugly, and its anyone's series in Melbourne, as NSW dosn't have the home ground advantage.

[EB Pete]

i love reading peoples 'coaching tips'! it's awsome, everyone thinks they have the answer! i'm not paying out on anyone either cause i'm about to do the same and here goes.

1. Tony carrol, had his time. played awsome in broncos last premership but he is just another jersey on the feild these days.
2. Matt bowen. i'm still unsure about this decision. if thurston was 5/8th then he'd be awsome, but then where do you put lockyer?
3. Hunt, just there cause lockyer is 5/8th and they create a good combo
4. brent tate? WTF! seriously! played like 3 NRL games this year! plus playing out of position!
5. Shaun berrigan, can't believe what you all were saying about him! name me another player that has played dummy half, centre, half back for a lengthy time and actually created something! and then to play second row in origin! i'm not saying he went all that well but he is in my opinion the 1st player i'd pick in a team.
6. chris flannery. well where do i start. good player. good interchange. NOT STATE OF ORIGIN MATERIAL! and for s sake when he played 5/8th for Queensland that was the biggest up of all time.

thats all i can think of at the moment to pay out on but i got 1 positive. Nate Myles (however you spell it) is a dam good impact player. as for these rookies i don't know cause i can only watch what is on 9. but at least they are picking players in there right positions now. sorta

in my opinion the game can go either way cause it's origin, and thats all i will say. i can keep going with the likes of lockyer (yes i said lockyer), wesser, price ect. and just to finish can i say frawley and eastwood (don't know the avalibility of these playes but).

theres part 1 of my 10 bobs worth. can't wait for the replys!

[EF, What else?]

Originally Posted by EB Pete

i love reading peoples 'coaching tips'! it's awsome, everyone thinks they have the answer! i'm not paying out on anyone either cause i'm about to do the same and here goes.

1. Tony carrol, had his time. played awsome in broncos last premership but he is just another jersey on the feild these days.
2. Matt bowen. i'm still unsure about this decision. if thurston was 5/8th then he'd be awsome, but then where do you put lockyer?
3. Hunt, just there cause lockyer is 5/8th and they create a good combo
4. brent tate? WTF! seriously! played like 3 NRL games this year! plus playing out of position!
5. Shaun berrigan, can't believe what you all were saying about him! name me another player that has played dummy half, centre, half back for a lengthy time and actually created something! and then to play second row in origin! i'm not saying he went all that well but he is in my opinion the 1st player i'd pick in a team.
6. chris flannery. well where do i start. good player. good interchange. NOT STATE OF ORIGIN MATERIAL! and for s sake when he played 5/8th for Queensland that was the biggest up of all time.

thats all i can think of at the moment to pay out on but i got 1 positive. Nate Myles (however you spell it) is a dam good impact player. as for these rookies i don't know cause i can only watch what is on 9. but at least they are picking players in there right positions now. sorta

in my opinion the game can go either way cause it's origin, and thats all i will say. i can keep going with the likes of lockyer (yes i said lockyer), wesser, price ect. and just to finish can i say frawley and eastwood (don't know the avalibility of these playes but).

theres part 1 of my 10 bobs worth. can't wait for the replys!

Ok, I'll bite : Emotion put aside, I agree with most of your points except number one regarding Carrol. He might just be another player in a jersey, but he dosn't have bad games, and he's as solid as a rock. Put him in lock beside Lockyer, and what more do you want from him?

[EB Pete]

well i'll try and be nice. tony carrol is rock solid in defence, when he hits them! what we need is a nathan hindmarsh in the qld team. carrol might be able to put on a big hit but he never runs the ball and when he does he makes no impact. i'm not saying he is bad all i'm saying is that everyone is saying 'put carrol in and he will fix up the nsw forwards' is bull. and thats enough for now.

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Still no news on Hodges??

[willow 1]

I DON'T GO FOR QLD,SO WHO CARES!!! (HA!HA!) :

[HOON69]

def nsw
qld dont have the ticker they did back in the late 80's and early 90's
NSW all the way

p.s you can tell the victorians answered the poll with the last option % :