2017 Line-Ups

[Renegade]

if Slater comes good I would still leave him out of the side, because there is no point. We survived last year without him and he will most likely retire at the end of this season - there is no benefit to the qld team moving forward for him to play.

i would only play him in a dead rubber @ suncorp, farewell and thanks for the memories etc - but not at the expense of losing the series. billy would know the state comes first.

 

[Sproj]

That bench is too NSW-like, backrowers everywhere!

 

[Broncoman]

Slater will play if he is fit enough

No doubt

 

[Sirlee oldman]

Just wondering whether Scott Bolton deserves a mention in the list of fringe props? He has been pretty good this year as well.

 

[Super Freak]

Wallace probably is playing better than Napa and Sims, but once again, Queensland doesn't work that way, Napa has been close for a couple of years, he's next in line, he'll be there 10000% regardless of his form. If we were picking a QLD 17 based off club form we'd probably have about 8 different players to the one that'll be named.

Walters disagrees.

If Walters isn't happy with him when he comes back from injury, he won't be picked.

He has other people there that have done the job in the past and will select those ahead of him. Napa doesn't have that advantage. He has to play his way into a QLD jersey the same way McGuire did.

 

[Big Pete]

The Maroons have to stick with Darius Boyd at fullback. He's the best fullback in the game and his ability to play in a structured environment and come up with the big play at the right time is invaluable. While I have a lot of admiration for Billy, I don't think the Maroons selectors should bend over backwards to get a guy who has played little football into the side, especially if it means playing him out of position. I believe Billy would be better served plying his trade for Melbourne and if an opportunity arises he could be a valuable addition later in the series when he's got some form and the Maroons need to make changes.

On the wings I'd have Dane Gagai & Corey Oates. Gagai is a no-brainer, he's really made a spot for himself and I'd keep him exactly where he is. Oates' form dipped after Origin, but so far he's been one of the Broncos better players in 2017 and his ability to turn a game is second to none. I see Oates being a big part of the Maroons following the departures of JT, Cronk & Smith so I'd keep him in the side.

The centres are tough. No GI is going to be a big problem and I don't think the Maroons will be able to fill that void. Their best option for mine is to go with Chambers & O'Neil who have that big game experience and good understanding of those around them. I'd look to keep O'Neil & Gagai together, with Chambers going to left centre, like in Game 3 2015.

Halves, please. Two of the greatest of all-time and could very well decide the game, next.

As some of you know, I'm not a huge fan of McGuire at lock. I think his defence lacks impact which is a huge problem at this level, so I'd push him up to the front row with a view to play him around 50-60 minutes as opposed to the full 80. He'd be accompanied by one of the most experienced campaigners in Nate Myles. Dummy half? Again, please, the greatest dummy half of all-time and captain will be another huge part of this series.

Backrow, I want two Broncos in Sammy & Gillett, but I also want to find room for Papalii who was sorely missed in the dead rubber. While I had concerns about his defence, it's time he graduates off the bench and is thrown into the thick of it from the get go. For mine, he's right up there with Matt Gillett and Jason Taumalolo as one of the greatest backrows in the world and it's time to give him that opportunity.

On the bench, I'd hate to see what the Blues would do to Anthony Milford in defence, so I'm sticking with Morgan who has shown he doesn't sweat any of their players and isn't afraid to take hits for his team. He'll be accompanied by an experienced campaigner in Jacob Lillyman and two noobies - Coen Hess & Dylan Napa. At first I felt inclined to go with 3 new faces, but the idea of having three guys run on the field who have little experience at this level had me worried, so Jacob can saddle up for another series until these young guys get that lifelong dream out of the way. Hess is a no-brainer, he's one of those young guys like Tallis, Thaiday, Folau, Myles you get into the team ASAP since you know they're made of the right stuff. Napa is one I'm iffy on, but there's no doubt on his day he can make a statement and that's what the Maroons need. Fitness pending, I'd have him there otherwise it's a mad dash for Jarrod Wallace & Korbin Sims to see who will replace him.

My squad: Cameron Munster, Valentine Holmes, Nene MacDonald, Dale Copley, Anthony Milford, Scott Bolton, Gavin Cooper, Jarrod Wallace, Korbin Sims, Felise Kaufusi.

I'd also have Taylor rock up as an 18th man for one of the games, give him that 'rub' and see how he handles it.

 

[Big Pete]

Wallace

73 Minutes - 26 Runs for 264m, 33 Tackles, 4 Missed.

One of the best front row performances of the year.

I feel stupid for leaving him out of the conversation last year.

 

[Alec]

He was good fora bench player last year, but this was just another level. Should definitely be in consideration.

 

[Unbreakable]

Yeah I've gotta admit he was huge last night, if he plays games like that regularly he'll be in the frame.

 

[K-Style]

http://m.nrl.com/wallace-primed-for-second-origin-audition/tabid/10874/newsid/105735/default.aspx

 

[Broncs_Fan]

They should pick Boyd at fullback at leave out Billy. Has spent so much time out of the game and doesn't deserve to be picked on his current form. Whether that changes in the next month we will see. He shouldn't just be picked because of the past. Needs to get back to where he was. Boyd is simply going better at the moment. And there are better wingers than Billy that have played there more recently than him.

Wallace is going better than Lillyman.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Gagai
4. O'Neill
5. Holmes
6. Thurston
7. Cronk
8. Napa
9. Smith
10. McGuire
11. Gillett
12. Hess
13. Papalii

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

Milf's time will come when Thurston and Cronk retire. Just think Morgan is better suited to playing forwards if it is required.

 

[ZTop]

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Gagai
4. O'Neill
5. Holmes
6. Thurston
7. Cronk
8. Napa
9. Smith
10. McGuire
11. Gillett
12. Hess
13. Papalii

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

Why put Hess starting, he is far to inexperienced to start
I agree with the backline though

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Why put Hess starting, he is far to inexperienced to start
I agree with the backline though

He would go just as good as anyone else there and probably better. He has been a stand out this season.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Why put Hess starting, he is far to inexperienced to start
I agree with the backline though

I like Chambers being cut. Guy very often doesn't pass the ball when he should whereas O'Neill has a good catch and pass game.

 

[K-Style]

Hess' hands have been a worry lately. A bit Burgess like. He's immense for a 2nd rower though.

 

[bb_gun]

Hess' hands have been a worry lately. A bit Burgess like. He's immense for a 2nd rower though.

Still too raw IMO, let him debut next season.

 

[K-Style]

Still too raw IMO, let him debut next season.

I'm glad i don't have to make that decision. I'd still be tempted to play him. Unlike the Burgii I reckon his hands will get better.