Game II Discussion

[Fernando]

McGuire was MOM for mine.

Boyd played well too. Kudos to him for staying away from the sideline unlike some others lol

 

[Super Freak]

 

[BroncsFan]

More so than normal, any stats that Glasby put up would not tell the whole story. He made two misreads so bad, that he wouldn't register a missed tackle. He was directly responsible for conceding two tries shortly after he came on. Apart from that 3 minute period we won the game 18-6. He was a bad selection to begin with, and proved to be after the fact.

Yeah and those errors were when he first stepped on the field... I've said previously that I think he went out there trying to be something he's not.

As the game went on he became settled and made good meters through the middle, provided good defence in the middle and when he was taken off he looked like he had a bit more in the tank.

He was our first interchange at 20mins and played through to 57mins... so basically 40mins in the middle on debut. To me he can be our serviceable prop off the bench as was Lillyman.

 

[broncsgoat]

Yeah and those errors were when he first stepped on the field... I've said previously that I think he went out there trying to be something he's not.

As the game went on he became settled and made good meters through the middle, provided good defence in the middle and when he was taken off he looked like he had a bit more in the tank.

He was our first interchange at 20mins and played through to 57mins... so basically 40mins in the middle on debut. To me he can be our serviceable prop off the bench as was Lillyman.

You're more forgiving than I.

I saw nothing in his game that was strong enough to come close to excusing those errors.

 

[broncsgoat]

**** me check out how salty this article is


Queensland Maroons player ratings Origin game two 2017: prop who should’ve stayed home

THEY left it late but they refused to die as Queensland shocked New South Wales in Origin II.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Maroons player ratings.

BILLY SLATER 6.5

Had a hand in the opening try of the night. Was as safe at the back as ever. Set up the Dane Gagai try to put Queensland in front with two minutes to go.

VAL HOLMES 5

Spilled the ball with his first touch in Origin football, thanks to a big hit from Aaron Woods. Scored the opener in the 9th minute although replays suggested he may have stepped into touch. Was OK without been outstanding.

WILL CHAMBERS 5

Thrown into touch by Jarryd Hayne when on the attack in the 6th minute. Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later. Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute. Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute. Was shown up by Hayne and Morris. Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

DARIUS BOYD 4

Threw the final pass to set up Val Holmes for the opener. Otherwise wasted at centre.

DANE GAGAI 8

Safe under the high ball aside from one miss im the second half. Bundled into touch by Hayne and Morris in the second half. Didn’t appear to have the sting in his kick returns as he did in game one. Scored an important try in the 53rd minute then the winner in the 78th. Ran for 174 metres.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 7

Linked up with his old mate Billy Slater to help set up the opening try of the night. Kicked out on the full in the 31st minute to keep the Blues momentum going. Put Michael Morgan over the line in the 40th minute only to be held up. Was terrorised by the NSW forwards all night.

COOPER CRONK 5.5

Couldn’t pierce through the defence on that right side and couldn’t link up with Slater. Kicking game was good.

DYLAN NAPA 5.5

Just two touches for 22 run metres in his opening 22-minute stint. Clocked 116m all up and put on some big shots.

CAMERON SMITH 6.5

Typical tradesman like game without any brilliance. Made a heap of tackles in the middle of the park.

JARROD WALLACE 1

First stint lasted 22 minutes without much impact. Two runs for 22 metres. Could have stayed at home.

GAVIN COOPER 5

Made 24 tackles by half time. Topped the count with 47 and was reliable.

MATT GILLETT 7

A tackling machine as always.

JOSH MCGUIRE 6.5

Gave away the silly penalty which led to Jarryd Hayne’s try in the 14th minute. Made 42 tackles and 116 metres.

MICHAEL MORGAN 6.5

Promoted off the bench before half time. Held up over the line by Josh Dugan on the half time siren. Threw the flick pass to set up the Dane Gagai winner in the 78th minute.

JOSH PAPALII 5

Came on after 22 minutes. Punched out 47 metres before half time. Was used sparingly.

COEN HESS 2

Finally came on for his debut in the 57th minute. Three runs for 18m and a tackle break.

TIM GLASBY 3.5

First off the bench in the 22nd minute. Immediately missed a tackle on James Maloney which leaked the Brett Morris try, then let James Tedesco through to set up Mitchell Pearce minutes later.

 

[Huge]

More so than normal, any stats that Glasby put up would not tell the whole story. He made two misreads so bad, that he wouldn't register a missed tackle. He was directly responsible for conceding two tries shortly after he came on. Apart from that 3 minute period we won the game 18-6. He was a bad selection to begin with, and proved to be after the fact.

Mmmmmm. I don't want to be wise after the fact but I've just watched the first half and it's true about Glasby. He didn't do anything special and did contribute to the two nsw trys. What I want for better balance is Sims as a replacement front rower, Kaufusi to be a workaholic tackler and a partner for Papali with the incredible Gillette as lock forward and McGuire on the bench instead of Morgan who I admit wasn't too bad. Irrespective of my fantasy we won and I'd expect an unchanged team although Thurston may be gonskies and changes maybe necessary. If it happens, Hunt ?

 

[Fernando]

*If* JT is out I'd play Munster

 

[broncsgoat]

And then this is the team that lost

NSW Blues player ratings Origin game two 2017: Guns fire blanks at the death

NEW South Wales nearly had the series in the bag, before a horror half of football from Laurie Daley’s men let Queensland storm home and snatch a thrilling victory.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Blues player ratings.

1. James Tedesco (7.5)

Strong on the kick return and broke the Maroons up the middle when they tired. A constant threat, but his HIA robbed NSW of his counter-attack just when they needed it most.

2. Brett Morris (6)

Nabbed a 24th minute try and showed his class throughout, particularly in defence. Still, he doesn’t pose the same threat as younger wing contenders Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic.

3. Josh Dugan (7.5)

Answered every question asked of him, first when he stopped Morgan where he stood as the halftime siren sounded. Started asking a few of his own in the second half, but produced his best with critical defensive plays when he moved to fullback.

4. Jarryd Hayne (6)

Got the better of Will Chambers early and got the first try as just reward. Impressive with his commitment in defence, but came up with telling lapses in attack right when the Blues could ill afford them. His last 20 undid all the good work of his first 60.

5. Blake Ferguson (6)

Good at the back. Came up with the wrong decision on the Holmes try but came off his flank for plenty of work.

6. James Maloney (6.5)

Conceded a couple of early penalties — par for his course — but redeemed those with the show and go for Morris’ first four-pointer. Typical junkyard dog performance, but went missing late when NSW needed his guiding hand.

7. Mitchell Pearce (6)

Exactly where every No.7 should be in support play and sound in defence. But once more his kicking game only had its moments, especially in the big ones, and was shown up once more at the death by opposite Cooper Cronk.

8. Aaron Woods (7)

Best big man on the park in the first 20-odd minutes, but exposed in his second stint by the smaller, fleet of feet players.

9. Nathan Peats (7)

The exact Energizer Bunny effort that was his briefing. Still yet to see his running game at this level, and could’ve used it late. Can’t argue with a game-high 52 tackles though.

10. Andrew Fifita (5.5)

Swamped whenever he went near the play and guilty of overplaying his hand at times. Shut down superbly by the Maroons mob.

11. Boyd Cordner (7.5)

Tireless, and went looking for work when it didn’t come his way. Particularly when Queensland rallied, it was Cordner leading the resistance.

12. Josh Jackson (8)

Renowned for doing the dirty deeds no-one but his teammates see, but impossible to miss in the first 40. Couldn’t quite match it after the break, but still strong.

13. Tyson Frizell (7)

Stuck to Thurston like white on rice, rattling the champion into the rarest of errors in a strong first half. His absence was most telling as Queensland surged.

14. David Klemmer (8)

Man possessed. Racked up 163 run metres either side of halftime, bending the Maroons line with every carry. NSW sure could’ve used him at the clutch.

15. Wade Graham (6)

Coupled some intelligent ball playing with real physicality, but exposed at crucial junctures. Overdid it more than once, most notably with the ill-timed shot on Josh McGuire that led to the Gagai try.

16. Jake Trbojevic (9)

Superb. Couldn’t have scripted his intro to the game better — laid on a try within two minutes of being out there, saved one with seconds remaining before the break. With all Queensland’s focus on Fifita, Trbojevic would not have garnered too much attention during the Maroons video sessions. He so nearly proved their ultimate destroyer.

17. Jack Bird (4)

Got out there at the hour mark and popped up frequently, but couldn’t do much amid the Maroon tide.

 

[JayPee]

Cooper 47 tackles 12 runs for 110m in 80mins basically defending for two. Massive stuff

 

[Huge]

**** me check out how salty this article is


Queensland Maroons player ratings Origin game two 2017: prop who should’ve stayed home

THEY left it late but they refused to die as Queensland shocked New South Wales in Origin II.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Maroons player ratings.

BILLY SLATER 6.5

Had a hand in the opening try of the night. Was as safe at the back as ever. Set up the Dane Gagai try to put Queensland in front with two minutes to go.

VAL HOLMES 5

Spilled the ball with his first touch in Origin football, thanks to a big hit from Aaron Woods. Scored the opener in the 9th minute although replays suggested he may have stepped into touch. Was OK without been outstanding.

WILL CHAMBERS 5

Thrown into touch by Jarryd Hayne when on the attack in the 6th minute. Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later. Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute. Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute. Was shown up by Hayne and Morris. Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

DARIUS BOYD 4

Threw the final pass to set up Val Holmes for the opener. Otherwise wasted at centre.

DANE GAGAI 8

Safe under the high ball aside from one miss im the second half. Bundled into touch by Hayne and Morris in the second half. Didn’t appear to have the sting in his kick returns as he did in game one. Scored an important try in the 53rd minute then the winner in the 78th. Ran for 174 metres.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 7

Linked up with his old mate Billy Slater to help set up the opening try of the night. Kicked out on the full in the 31st minute to keep the Blues momentum going. Put Michael Morgan over the line in the 40th minute only to be held up. Was terrorised by the NSW forwards all night.

COOPER CRONK 5.5

Couldn’t pierce through the defence on that right side and couldn’t link up with Slater. Kicking game was good.

DYLAN NAPA 5.5

Just two touches for 22 run metres in his opening 22-minute stint. Clocked 116m all up and put on some big shots.

CAMERON SMITH 6.5

Typical tradesman like game without any brilliance. Made a heap of tackles in the middle of the park.

JARROD WALLACE 1

First stint lasted 22 minutes without much impact. Two runs for 22 metres. Could have stayed at home.

GAVIN COOPER 5

Made 24 tackles by half time. Topped the count with 47 and was reliable.

MATT GILLETT 7

A tackling machine as always.

JOSH MCGUIRE 6.5

Gave away the silly penalty which led to Jarryd Hayne’s try in the 14th minute. Made 42 tackles and 116 metres.

MICHAEL MORGAN 6.5

Promoted off the bench before half time. Held up over the line by Josh Dugan on the half time siren. Threw the flick pass to set up the Dane Gagai winner in the 78th minute.

JOSH PAPALII 5

Came on after 22 minutes. Punched out 47 metres before half time. Was used sparingly.

COEN HESS 2

Finally came on for his debut in the 57th minute. Three runs for 18m and a tackle break.

TIM GLASBY 3.5

First off the bench in the 22nd minute. Immediately missed a tackle on James Maloney which leaked the Brett Morris try, then let James Tedesco through to set up Mitchell Pearce minutes later.

Lol...hard to believe this is the team that won ! ****, you're right, the saltiest I've ever read !

 

[Organix]

**** me check out how salty this article is


Queensland Maroons player ratings Origin game two 2017: prop who should’ve stayed home

THEY left it late but they refused to die as Queensland shocked New South Wales in Origin II.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Maroons player ratings.

BILLY SLATER 6.5

Had a hand in the opening try of the night. Was as safe at the back as ever. Set up the Dane Gagai try to put Queensland in front with two minutes to go.

VAL HOLMES 5

Spilled the ball with his first touch in Origin football, thanks to a big hit from Aaron Woods. Scored the opener in the 9th minute although replays suggested he may have stepped into touch. Was OK without been outstanding.

WILL CHAMBERS 5

Thrown into touch by Jarryd Hayne when on the attack in the 6th minute. Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later. Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute. Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute. Was shown up by Hayne and Morris. Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

DARIUS BOYD 4

Threw the final pass to set up Val Holmes for the opener. Otherwise wasted at centre.

DANE GAGAI 8

Safe under the high ball aside from one miss im the second half. Bundled into touch by Hayne and Morris in the second half. Didn’t appear to have the sting in his kick returns as he did in game one. Scored an important try in the 53rd minute then the winner in the 78th. Ran for 174 metres.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 7

Linked up with his old mate Billy Slater to help set up the opening try of the night. Kicked out on the full in the 31st minute to keep the Blues momentum going. Put Michael Morgan over the line in the 40th minute only to be held up. Was terrorised by the NSW forwards all night.

COOPER CRONK 5.5

Couldn’t pierce through the defence on that right side and couldn’t link up with Slater. Kicking game was good.

DYLAN NAPA 5.5

Just two touches for 22 run metres in his opening 22-minute stint. Clocked 116m all up and put on some big shots.

CAMERON SMITH 6.5

Typical tradesman like game without any brilliance. Made a heap of tackles in the middle of the park.

JARROD WALLACE 1

First stint lasted 22 minutes without much impact. Two runs for 22 metres. Could have stayed at home.

GAVIN COOPER 5

Made 24 tackles by half time. Topped the count with 47 and was reliable.

MATT GILLETT 7

A tackling machine as always.

JOSH MCGUIRE 6.5

Gave away the silly penalty which led to Jarryd Hayne’s try in the 14th minute. Made 42 tackles and 116 metres.

MICHAEL MORGAN 6.5

Promoted off the bench before half time. Held up over the line by Josh Dugan on the half time siren. Threw the flick pass to set up the Dane Gagai winner in the 78th minute.

JOSH PAPALII 5

Came on after 22 minutes. Punched out 47 metres before half time. Was used sparingly.

COEN HESS 2

Finally came on for his debut in the 57th minute. Three runs for 18m and a tackle break.

TIM GLASBY 3.5

First off the bench in the 22nd minute. Immediately missed a tackle on James Maloney which leaked the Brett Morris try, then let James Tedesco through to set up Mitchell Pearce minutes later.

Apparently we had only one decent player. Gillo

 

[broncsgoat]

Lol...hard to believe this is the team that won ! ****, you're right, the saltiest I've ever read !

We were outscored by 30 points by this mouth breathers reckoning.

I can only imagine he's blind drunk and on the edge pre writing that.

 

[broncsgoat]

Apparently we had only one decent player. Gillo

Gillo

 

[Alec]

**** me check out how salty this article is


Queensland Maroons player ratings Origin game two 2017: prop who should’ve stayed home

THEY left it late but they refused to die as Queensland shocked New South Wales in Origin II.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Maroons player ratings.

BILLY SLATER 6.5

Had a hand in the opening try of the night. Was as safe at the back as ever. Set up the Dane Gagai try to put Queensland in front with two minutes to go.

VAL HOLMES 5

Spilled the ball with his first touch in Origin football, thanks to a big hit from Aaron Woods. Scored the opener in the 9th minute although replays suggested he may have stepped into touch. Was OK without been outstanding.

WILL CHAMBERS 5

Thrown into touch by Jarryd Hayne when on the attack in the 6th minute. Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later. Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute. Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute. Was shown up by Hayne and Morris. Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

DARIUS BOYD 4

Threw the final pass to set up Val Holmes for the opener. Otherwise wasted at centre.

DANE GAGAI 8

Safe under the high ball aside from one miss im the second half. Bundled into touch by Hayne and Morris in the second half. Didn’t appear to have the sting in his kick returns as he did in game one. Scored an important try in the 53rd minute then the winner in the 78th. Ran for 174 metres.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 7

Linked up with his old mate Billy Slater to help set up the opening try of the night. Kicked out on the full in the 31st minute to keep the Blues momentum going. Put Michael Morgan over the line in the 40th minute only to be held up. Was terrorised by the NSW forwards all night.

COOPER CRONK 5.5

Couldn’t pierce through the defence on that right side and couldn’t link up with Slater. Kicking game was good.

DYLAN NAPA 5.5

Just two touches for 22 run metres in his opening 22-minute stint. Clocked 116m all up and put on some big shots.

CAMERON SMITH 6.5

Typical tradesman like game without any brilliance. Made a heap of tackles in the middle of the park.

JARROD WALLACE 1

First stint lasted 22 minutes without much impact. Two runs for 22 metres. Could have stayed at home.

GAVIN COOPER 5

Made 24 tackles by half time. Topped the count with 47 and was reliable.

MATT GILLETT 7

A tackling machine as always.

JOSH MCGUIRE 6.5

Gave away the silly penalty which led to Jarryd Hayne’s try in the 14th minute. Made 42 tackles and 116 metres.

MICHAEL MORGAN 6.5

Promoted off the bench before half time. Held up over the line by Josh Dugan on the half time siren. Threw the flick pass to set up the Dane Gagai winner in the 78th minute.

JOSH PAPALII 5

Came on after 22 minutes. Punched out 47 metres before half time. Was used sparingly.

COEN HESS 2

Finally came on for his debut in the 57th minute. Three runs for 18m and a tackle break.

TIM GLASBY 3.5

First off the bench in the 22nd minute. Immediately missed a tackle on James Maloney which leaked the Brett Morris try, then let James Tedesco through to set up Mitchell Pearce minutes later.

That's hillarious. No one usually gets less than freaking 5 or 6 in """""eggspert""""" ratings, you can tell they were writing these through tears in their eyes.

 

[BroncsFan]

**** me check out how salty this article is


Queensland Maroons player ratings Origin game two 2017: prop who should’ve stayed home

THEY left it late but they refused to die as Queensland shocked New South Wales in Origin II.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Maroons player ratings.

BILLY SLATER 6.5

Had a hand in the opening try of the night. Was as safe at the back as ever. Set up the Dane Gagai try to put Queensland in front with two minutes to go.

VAL HOLMES 5

Spilled the ball with his first touch in Origin football, thanks to a big hit from Aaron Woods. Scored the opener in the 9th minute although replays suggested he may have stepped into touch. Was OK without been outstanding.

WILL CHAMBERS 5

Thrown into touch by Jarryd Hayne when on the attack in the 6th minute. Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later. Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute. Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute. Was shown up by Hayne and Morris. Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

DARIUS BOYD 4

Threw the final pass to set up Val Holmes for the opener. Otherwise wasted at centre.

DANE GAGAI 8

Safe under the high ball aside from one miss im the second half. Bundled into touch by Hayne and Morris in the second half. Didn’t appear to have the sting in his kick returns as he did in game one. Scored an important try in the 53rd minute then the winner in the 78th. Ran for 174 metres.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 7

Linked up with his old mate Billy Slater to help set up the opening try of the night. Kicked out on the full in the 31st minute to keep the Blues momentum going. Put Michael Morgan over the line in the 40th minute only to be held up. Was terrorised by the NSW forwards all night.

COOPER CRONK 5.5

Couldn’t pierce through the defence on that right side and couldn’t link up with Slater. Kicking game was good.

DYLAN NAPA 5.5

Just two touches for 22 run metres in his opening 22-minute stint. Clocked 116m all up and put on some big shots.

CAMERON SMITH 6.5

Typical tradesman like game without any brilliance. Made a heap of tackles in the middle of the park.

JARROD WALLACE 1

First stint lasted 22 minutes without much impact. Two runs for 22 metres. Could have stayed at home.

GAVIN COOPER 5

Made 24 tackles by half time. Topped the count with 47 and was reliable.

MATT GILLETT 7

A tackling machine as always.

JOSH MCGUIRE 6.5

Gave away the silly penalty which led to Jarryd Hayne’s try in the 14th minute. Made 42 tackles and 116 metres.

MICHAEL MORGAN 6.5

Promoted off the bench before half time. Held up over the line by Josh Dugan on the half time siren. Threw the flick pass to set up the Dane Gagai winner in the 78th minute.

JOSH PAPALII 5

Came on after 22 minutes. Punched out 47 metres before half time. Was used sparingly.

COEN HESS 2

Finally came on for his debut in the 57th minute. Three runs for 18m and a tackle break.

TIM GLASBY 3.5

First off the bench in the 22nd minute. Immediately missed a tackle on James Maloney which leaked the Brett Morris try, then let James Tedesco through to set up Mitchell Pearce minutes later.

Surely old mate that wrote that doesn't have a job tomorrow morning.

That has to be the worst reporting I've ever seen. Napa 5.5 are they fucking kidding.

I know I'm in the minority but Chambers review is embarrassing. Has the nerve to give him a 5 even though (by their words)

Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later.
Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute.
Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute.

And then apparently
Was shown up by Hayne and Morris.
Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

Seriously???

Did they forget the sheer amount of hit ups he took to get us out of our own end!!! And how exactly was he shown up by Hayne and Morris... Haynes try was because gagai was late and Morris occurred well inside him

And then to put him on par with Val who was very ordinary and then went into his shell and became invisible

 

[Fernando]

Surely old mate that wrote that doesn't have a job tomorrow morning.

That has to be the worst reporting I've ever seen. Napa 5.5 are they fucking kidding.

I know I'm in the minority but Chambers review is embarrassing. Has the nerve to give him a 5 even though (by their words)

Put Hayne into the ground from a kick off 10 minutes later.
Put Hayne into touch to save a try in the 33rd minute.
Set up a Dane Gagai with a nice run and flick in the 53rd minute.

And then apparently
Was shown up by Hayne and Morris.
Capped an ordinary night by getting knocked out in the final 10 minutes.

Seriously???

Did they forget the sheer amount of hit ups he took to get us out of our own end!!! And how exactly was he shown up by Hayne and Morris... Haynes try was because gagai was late and Morris occurred well inside him

And then to put him on par with Val who was very ordinary and then went into his shell and became invisible

I love Chambers playing for QLD. He's yet to have a poor game and gives everything he has.

 

[BroncsFan]

And then this is the team that lost

NSW Blues player ratings Origin game two 2017: Guns fire blanks at the death

NEW South Wales nearly had the series in the bag, before a horror half of football from Laurie Daley’s men let Queensland storm home and snatch a thrilling victory.

Here’s who battled and who stood up, in our Blues player ratings.

1. James Tedesco (7.5)

Strong on the kick return and broke the Maroons up the middle when they tired. A constant threat, but his HIA robbed NSW of his counter-attack just when they needed it most.

2. Brett Morris (6)

Nabbed a 24th minute try and showed his class throughout, particularly in defence. Still, he doesn’t pose the same threat as younger wing contenders Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic.

3. Josh Dugan (7.5)

Answered every question asked of him, first when he stopped Morgan where he stood as the halftime siren sounded. Started asking a few of his own in the second half, but produced his best with critical defensive plays when he moved to fullback.

4. Jarryd Hayne (6)

Got the better of Will Chambers early and got the first try as just reward. Impressive with his commitment in defence, but came up with telling lapses in attack right when the Blues could ill afford them. His last 20 undid all the good work of his first 60.

5. Blake Ferguson (6)

Good at the back. Came up with the wrong decision on the Holmes try but came off his flank for plenty of work.

6. James Maloney (6.5)

Conceded a couple of early penalties — par for his course — but redeemed those with the show and go for Morris’ first four-pointer. Typical junkyard dog performance, but went missing late when NSW needed his guiding hand.

7. Mitchell Pearce (6)

Exactly where every No.7 should be in support play and sound in defence. But once more his kicking game only had its moments, especially in the big ones, and was shown up once more at the death by opposite Cooper Cronk.

8. Aaron Woods (7)

Best big man on the park in the first 20-odd minutes, but exposed in his second stint by the smaller, fleet of feet players.

9. Nathan Peats (7)

The exact Energizer Bunny effort that was his briefing. Still yet to see his running game at this level, and could’ve used it late. Can’t argue with a game-high 52 tackles though.

10. Andrew Fifita (5.5)

Swamped whenever he went near the play and guilty of overplaying his hand at times. Shut down superbly by the Maroons mob.

11. Boyd Cordner (7.5)

Tireless, and went looking for work when it didn’t come his way. Particularly when Queensland rallied, it was Cordner leading the resistance.

12. Josh Jackson (8)

Renowned for doing the dirty deeds no-one but his teammates see, but impossible to miss in the first 40. Couldn’t quite match it after the break, but still strong.

13. Tyson Frizell (7)

Stuck to Thurston like white on rice, rattling the champion into the rarest of errors in a strong first half. His absence was most telling as Queensland surged.

14. David Klemmer (8)

Man possessed. Racked up 163 run metres either side of halftime, bending the Maroons line with every carry. NSW sure could’ve used him at the clutch.

15. Wade Graham (6)

Coupled some intelligent ball playing with real physicality, but exposed at crucial junctures. Overdid it more than once, most notably with the ill-timed shot on Josh McGuire that led to the Gagai try.

16. Jake Trbojevic (9)

Superb. Couldn’t have scripted his intro to the game better — laid on a try within two minutes of being out there, saved one with seconds remaining before the break. With all Queensland’s focus on Fifita, Trbojevic would not have garnered too much attention during the Maroons video sessions. He so nearly proved their ultimate destroyer.

17. Jack Bird (4)

Got out there at the hour mark and popped up frequently, but couldn’t do much amid the Maroon tide.

Yep so the real man of the match was a bench prop.

Dugan 6.5?!?! He was invisible and apparently only started answering questions after Boyd turned him into a turn style within the first few minutes.

 

[Super Freak]

I did say in the first game that if QLD shut down Fifita then our forward pack would be fine.

We were matching them, but we just kept making dumb decisions in attack, making silly errors and kept putting ourselves under pressure with shit kicks.

We can't rely on a miracle in the decider.