2017 Line-Ups

Wallace deserves a bench spot for QLD honestly, he's outplaying Napa hard this season. Routinely grabbing 200+ metres. If I was picking the QLD side based on form / reliability, it would probably be -

1. Slater
2. Boyd
3. Chambers
4. Gagai
5. Holmes
6. Thurston
7. Cronk
8. Lillyman
9. Smith (c)
10. Myles
11. Papalii
12. Gillett
13. McGuire

14. Morgan
15. Thaiday
16. Napa
17. Wallace

Yeah this is pretty much what I'd go too. Milf to come in if JT is out.
 
I would not write off the chances of Scott Bolton this year just yet. He is just the type of player who would lift for an opportunity
like SoO and has really stepped up since Scotts' injury
 
Agree with Bolton..tough, experienced front rower averaging 150 metres this season. Gotta be a good chance in a QLD side light on for props
 
My revised side.

Slater
Boyd
Chambers
Munster
Oates
JT
Cronk

Wallace
Smith
Napa
Gillett
Papalii
Mcguire

Bench:

Morgan
Bolton
Lillyman
Thaiday
 
I still think Hess has (Hess?) to be there. I know he's raw and a rookie, but that's how we started our big run in 2006 too.
 
Bolton has been immense for the cowboys. Been underrated his whole career. I remember him being close a number of years ago as a wide running second rower. Wouldn't let anyone down. Wallace has to be a big shot. Been killing it. Hess is the guy that would create the most worry for nsw. Would only need to play 30mins tops which is perfect for this stage of his career. Thought green playing him for the full 80 the prior month really diminished him but coming off the bench against the dogs he looked more active. Can sniff a try
 
If JT is out, it has to be Morgan to replace him.

He's been a little underwhelming running the show at NQ the last few weeks. Criticism is justified but they're looking to him to be the controlling half.

Morgan does his best work riding shotgun to a dominant controlling half with a solid kicking game. He might have the best synergy with JT but a pairing with Cronk should give him the opportunity to play to his strengths.

Regarding the other candidates:

DCE had his shot and doesn't pair well with Cronk, as we've seen.

Milf can be dynamite on his day but is error prone under pressure. Particularly a concern when we're undermanned up front. Could work at 14 but would get harassed out of the game at 6.

Hunt has been injured too long, which is a shame. If he plays at his best, he would combine pretty well with Cronk. Good running game, resilient, never gives up on a play. Kicking could be costly though.

Norman is injured, not too mention a show pony and pea heart. I'd sooner Sandow suit up than have him cheapen the jersey.
 
If JT is out, it has to be Morgan to replace him.

He's been a little underwhelming running the show at NQ the last few weeks. Criticism is justified but they're looking to him to be the controlling half.

Morgan does his best work riding shotgun to a dominant controlling half with a solid kicking game. He might have the best synergy with JT but a pairing with Cronk should give him the opportunity to play to his strengths.

Regarding the other candidates:

DCE had his shot and doesn't pair well with Cronk, as we've seen.

Milf can be dynamite on his day but is error prone under pressure. Particularly a concern when we're undermanned up front. Could work at 14 but would get harassed out of the game at 6.

Hunt has been injured too long, which is a shame. If he plays at his best, he would combine pretty well with Cronk. Good running game, resilient, never gives up on a play. Kicking could be costly though.

Norman is injured, not too mention a show pony and pea heart. I'd sooner Sandow suit up than have him cheapen the jersey.

The only drama would be if Morgan gets stomped out of the game again mid way through - it would fall on the shoulders of QLD's 14 (Milf or DCE most likely) to fill in which is a tough ask when you haven't done the training at six during the week (ala DCE in 14).

QLD might also want to go with four forwards on the bench to combat NSW's pack.
 
If Lillyman has been good enough then so is Bolton. In fact Bolton is a much more effective ball carrier now then Lillyman was at any stage of his career.
 
You watch week to week of thaiday and he has been a bit up and down. More down then up but as soon as he seems to put on a rep jumper he just lifts another level. Alot of NSW supporters bang on about how much better their forward pack is. I don't see it... alot closer than a heap say. Klemmer, Woods, Jackson, Fifita are assively overrated
 
You watch week to week of thaiday and he has been a bit up and down. More down then up but as soon as he seems to put on a rep jumper he just lifts another level. Alot of NSW supporters bang on about how much better their forward pack is. I don't see it... alot closer than a heap say. Klemmer, Woods, Jackson, Fifita are assively overrated

Fifita is pretty good.
 
Hunt has been injured too long, which is a shame. If he plays at his best, he would combine pretty well with Cronk. Good running game, resilient, never gives up on a play. Kicking could be costly though.

To be fair, Hunt's kicking wouldn't be a problem in the Origin arena.

With Cronk and Smith in the side, they will be doing the kicking. Hunt wouldn't be the main kicker. Plus, his short kicking has been a lot better this year.
 
If kicking is a non-factor for the vacant spot, we may as well just go with Milford, who is probably a better "running Five-Eighth" than Hunt.
 
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