2023 State of Origin Discussion

Big Pete said:
There's decent halves out there, but I don't think there's a young Johnathan Thurston type going around who you can point to. The best bet right now would be Thomas Duffy who was the Queensland U/19s halfback last year and has those attributes. However he's having a tough initiation in QCup and it's only been in recent weeks he's starting to put his hand up.

Otherwise coming through 18s my pick would be Coby Black. He's that type of make of halfback but I'd like to see how the rest of this year plays out.

Melbourne have a couple of players from Ipswich, not necessarily DCE types, but spine players who can Splay some footy who are worth keeping an eye on. Stanley Huen and Gabriel Satrick -both are quality players to watch, Huen was also involved in that Magpies 2022 MM Cup victory.

Then of course there's Oloapu and I think he has Origin written all over him. He's not your DCE but he's a winner and if he grows out of this phase of his career the sky is the limit.
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Really haven't watched Karl at all. It's hard to watch the Dogs play, and I hope playing for such a team doesn't ruin him à la Ash Taylor.
 
Organix said:
yeah, he has a decent kicking game, but he's not as controlled as DCE. In combination with Dearman it could actually work for that transition, and he might slowly change his game as he ages.
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im kinda curious where mam may fit in all this if he continues to improve is there a chance he jumps deardon in the pecking order?
 
Xzei said:
im kinda curious where mam may fit in all this if he continues to improve is there a chance he jumps deardon in the pecking order?
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Doubtful in my eyes... Dearden looks every bit an origin player, and his influence at the cows is starting to come through.

I think it's only a matter of time before they commit to him being the 7 and start to phase Chad out. It's not like Chad's kicking game is all that great anyway, so why not start working towards Dearden taking it over.

At this stage I'd have him as the front runner to being a long term 7 for Qld moving forward, unless someone comes from nowhere

To me Ezra needs to start expanding his game to being a bit more well rounded... or having a bit more ownership on the result. He's a great support runner and finishes off plays well, but at the moment it's Walsh and Reynolds that hold the key to our results, and Ezra fits in around that.

Not a bad thing, because he's still super young and has a lot of development left in him yet.
 
Dearden will likely be the 7 with Mam inline to be the future 6, Dearden already has the runs on the board which favors him for cover first but Billy has shown he is willing to bring in young players in form.
 
Organix said:
Really haven't watched Karl at all. It's hard to watch the Dogs play, and I hope playing for such a team doesn't ruin him à la Ash Taylor.
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Also, is he going to play QLD or NZ or Samoa? If he doesn't get picked for QLD when he thinks he should, will he demand something better than a chicken sandwich?
 
Organix said:
Really haven't watched Karl at all. It's hard to watch the Dogs play, and I hope playing for such a team doesn't ruin him à la Ash Taylor.
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Doggies arent doing him any favours right now. As @Big Pete said, if he can develop past whats happening now with no negative effects i think he's going right to the top.
 
Organix said:
Seems to be blooding Tim Doorman for a Hunt replacement. Would like to see a capable 7 who can kick like DCE. Walker seems capable of guiding a team around, but his boot is lacking long. Munster might get replaced by Walsh. No idea of Ponga's future.

Could be something like:
1. Ponga
6. Dearden
7. Walsh
9. Grant

But that doesn't look right to me. The lack of a genuine 7 is concerning.

1. Walsh
6. Donden/Mam
7. Walker
9. Grant/Dordon

Just really need that long, game-managing kicking ability. It's a shame Ponga can't play in the halves (as evidenced by his current season).

@1910 and @Big Pete - any decent halves coming through that fit that bill?

Would love to get them blooded early with DCE at 34.
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Duffy at the Cows is settling in well. He’s very steady. Getting a good combination with Price.

Huen and Sabtrick I expect to be in the Qld team in a few weeks.

Black does well against the Nrl guys at training on School holidays. Had a mixed start to ALF season and didn’t end the Meninga season well.

Karl is the most physical.

What Ballin comes up with is going to be interesting.
 
1. Walsh/Ponga/Hammer/Chester?
6. Mam/Dearden/Ponga
7. Dearden/Duffy/Black
9. Grant/Mozer/Walters

Some decent options coming through. Please note chicken sandwich has been omitted due to personal preference toward pastrami.
 
Sproj said:
1. Walsh/Ponga/Hammer/Chester?
6. Mam/Dearden/Ponga
7. Dearden/Duffy/Black
9. Grant/Mozer/Walters

Some decent options coming through. Please note chicken sandwich has been omitted due to personal preference toward pastrami.
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Brimson would be ahead of Chester lol, even Cobbo would.
 
Mustafur said:
Brimson would be ahead of Chester lol, even Cobbo would.
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Hey be fair, I took like one minute to put together.

There are a bucket load I missed, like Weaver, Napoleon Dynamite, Kini, (who I assume are Qlders), Campbell, Smoothy, Paix and so on.
 
Mundine has put his hand up to be the next NSW coach….

The Office Lol GIF
 
ZTop said:
Yes please, just for shits and giggles.. He's blaming this series loss on racism
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I could see it now.

"We're going to win because I'm the greatest coach of all time. I'm better than Slater, Bellamy, Bennett, everyone."

Then when they lose..

"The refs are racist".
 
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