Game Two

[Nashy]

Being a bit harsh on DCE I think.

 

[animal eater]

Being a bit harsh on DCE I think.

Maybe so but this is the internet where everyone exaggerates. Still, I have yet to see one strong game changing performance from the guy in Origin. If nothing else it makes you appreciate just how good Cronk is. I also think Hunt would of been a better selection for the team simply because his game resembles Cronk with a lot of straight forward running. You watch DCE and he absolutely looked like a deer in the headlights. Never once did he put his head down and run direct. Never once did I see him pass with commitment and purpose. Additionally I wasn't to inspired with his positional play on the defensive end. Would I call him a shit ****? Not really but I also don't think he is the man to have a number 7 in the Queensland side either.

 

[Nashy]

Maybe so but this is the internet where everyone exaggerates. Still, I have yet to see one strong game changing performance from the guy in Origin. If nothing else it makes you appreciate just how good Cronk is. I also think Hunt would of been a better selection for the team simply because his game resembles Cronk with a lot of straight forward running. You watch DCE and he absolutely looked like a deer in the headlights. Never once did he put his head down and run direct. Never once did I see him pass with commitment and purpose. Additionally I wasn't to inspired with his positional play on the defensive end. Would I call him a shit ****? Not really but I also don't think he is the man to have a number 7 in the Queensland side either.

But no mention of the fact that it looked like it was left up to him to basically be Cronk. That's not fair on a player just trying to crack into Origin. Thurston and Smith should have played a far bigger part in the halves, but they didn't.

The biggest gripe for DCE for me was not only him not running at the line, but the fact he didn't seem to be looking for the ball. When we needed a pass to our half, he was on the wrong side of the ball, or so far from the play that the ball simply didn't get to him.

 

[mitch222]

If Cronk isn't fit then its time to blood Benny Hunt. DCE and Thurston just cant gel together because they are too simular in playing style. Thurston needs an organiser around him and while Cronk is the best in the business, Hunt could ably do the job plus take the line on if need be. He is also has a very strong combo with Hodges & Thaiday. DCE has blown 3 games for us now with sub par performances. Thurston was the only half keeping us in the game last night

 

[Morkel]

No conspiracy theories here. Just bad play and bad luck. There were some dodgy calls, but the NSW forward pass and the Inglis no-try were correct. Same with the Morris try - might have been losing control, but no separation. You only have to regain control if there is separation as it needs to be regathered properly.

A couple of the worst games I've seen some of the Queenslanders play. They've all already been mentioned, but I'll defend Matt Scott on Woods - it was a poor attempt but (Thaiday?) should have been coming across on the inside quicker, that's what you drill for.

Two things killed us:

* DCE: Looks to me like part of his contract with Manly stipulates "If selected for rep footy, all measures must be taken to avoid injury or suspension". He played with zero heart, zero effectiveness, which is what you'd expect of a self-entitled mercenary.

* The bench: Having a bench utility and "solid but unspectacular" forwards is perfect if you expect to be in a winning (or at least controlling) position and want to blood a rookie utility. The forwards come on and maintain the status quo, and the rookie gets thrown in to the back-row to acclimatize to getting smashed and violated in true Origin style. If you're behind though, and letting the game slip away, it's useless. Arrogance may play a part in this?

 

[Broncoman]

I've been surprised by DCE's performances at Origin level. I thought he would fit in very well and believe he has the attributes to perform at this level but hasn't delivered. Hasn't really stood out for Australia as well.

 

[Wolfie]

We need more mongrel from the bench. Papali and Napa along with McGuire. If we have no Slater, Boyd to fullback and Corey Oates to the wing. The bloke is made for origin.

 

[Dexter]

No conspiracy theories here. Just bad play and bad luck. There were some dodgy calls, but the NSW forward pass and the Inglis no-try were correct. Same with the Morris try - might have been losing control, but no separation. You only have to regain control if there is separation as it needs to be regathered properly.

A couple of the worst games I've seen some of the Queenslanders play. They've all already been mentioned, but I'll defend Matt Scott on Woods - it was a poor attempt but (Thaiday?) should have been coming across on the inside quicker, that's what you drill for.

Two things killed us:

* DCE: Looks to me like part of his contract with Manly stipulates "If selected for rep footy, all measures must be taken to avoid injury or suspension". He played with zero heart, zero effectiveness, which is what you'd expect of a self-entitled mercenary.

* The bench: Having a bench utility and "solid but unspectacular" forwards is perfect if you expect to be in a winning (or at least controlling) position and want to blood a rookie utility. The forwards come on and maintain the status quo, and the rookie gets thrown in to the back-row to acclimatize to getting smashed and violated in true Origin style. If you're behind though, and letting the game slip away, it's useless. Arrogance may play a part in this?

You have left out the coach Morkel, the big turning point for mine was going for goal and a 4 point lead, WTF, 4 points 2 points aren't much different but a possible 8 points. The game was ours to take right then but we take the pussy option and leave ourselves open to bad calls etc which duly followed.

Mal should have benched D$E, they were running traffic at him and he was dodgy which caused a lot of uneasiness to his surrounding defenders. Morgan should have been given a chance there at least as Evans was ineffective in attack if not down right confused.

 

[Dexter]

Just Can't believe how many ppl are trying to blame Morgan for something, anything will do right. After all he played 21 min but only made 17 tackles, the weak prick could't even win the game for us. He nearly did though knocking the ball free from Pearce but I suppose it was his fault the refs fucked the call as well.

On a side note, the bloke must live under a rock he has to be the whitest Nth Qlder I have ever seen.

 

[Unbreakable]

DCE should use some of his $10m to get some lessons from Cronk & Thurston in the off-season, because he was horse shit last night.

Our bench Broncos played great, Gillett & McGuire were awesome, Lillyman held his own but wasn't noticeable. With that being said, we need some fucking mongrel off the bench, Klemmer came on and ruined us. I'm hoping Cronk should be sweet for game 3, he's usually a quick healer. Not sure what to make of Slater, he played really well but you could tell he wasn't even close to 100%

This would be my Game 3 line-up (Assuming Cronk is healthy & Slater has his surgery)

1. Greg Inglis
2. Darius Boyd
3. Dane Gagai
4. Justin Hodges
5. Will Chambers
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Nate Myles
11. Aidan Guerra
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Josh Papalii
16. Josh McGuire
17. Jacob Lillyman

 

[abashii]

Putting Gagai in the centres would be pretty bad imo. Remember how easily Oates run over the top of him? The blues will too.

 

[Sproj]

We need more mongrel from the bench. Papali and Napa along with McGuire. If we have no Slater, Boyd to fullback and Corey Oates to the wing. The bloke is made for origin.

I post Oates in my team every time I name one. Can you imagine NSW looking up and seeing Inglis and Oates running at them down the left? They would not attack that side all night. Put a good tackling half in for DCE (Cronk or Hunt) and the left closes too. The only way NSW can go is through the middle and boom, their whole effective game plan is wrecked.

 

[Unbreakable]

Putting Gagai in the centres would be pretty bad imo. Remember how easily Oates run over the top of him? The blues will too.

I think it'd be more risky putting him on the wing, I feel reasonably safe with Chambers on the wing (Even though he did **** us pretty bad last night with that error)

If worst comes to worst Darius can switch with him in defence and defend in the centres or something, but I think he'll do alright.

 

[Porthoz]

Until Gagai has a semblance of a defense ability, keep him out of Origin please!

 

[mieko]

Was a good game and hurts me to say that I think the better team won on the night. Yeah there were some dodgy calls (both ways) but normally we rise above it and come out on top, unfortunately not this game. As most have said, DCE was pretty ordinary. Just had no confidence and looked well out of place, how many times does he get caught with the ball. Good league players all have the one main trait and that's adaptability. If there rushing up in your face quick, you stand deeper. If they are constantly coming in fast at the angle, stand wider, or step then kick not just rush the kick. Anyway, he'll be there game 3 if fit (and Cronk still out??) though Hunt must be knocking/banging on the door now.

Parker was just massive as usual be it club or rep footy, McGuire stood up and played a tough game as did Guerra though Hodges, well he had a shocker. Got a massive lesson from Jennings, his defense was just non existent just like his attack. Also his dummy running is getting tiresome. Yeah do it two or three times but not literally every time, it's just so well known. Two steps to the side then try to push thru two markers, **** just stay out in the centres and use that massive step to get on the outside or at least get the arms free to set up your winger which you do so well. Will prob miss a game or two now anyway!!

anyway, tough game and the decider will be huge. Couldn't bear to see Gallen lift the trophy at Suncorp...again.

 

[Harry Sack]

If DCE is the long term replacement for Cronk in the halves, fair enough, but he is not an adequate injury replacement for Cronk. 2 completely different styles of player and DCE is never going to fit into a defensive/attacking structure based around the playing style of Cronk. Hunt is far more similar to Cronk (plays direct) and should have been either the starting 7 or the 14 in place of Morgan.

On the Pearce no try.....did anyone else see him after it was ruled a no try? On the first or second play from the restart, with a facial expression that would have mad angry cat proud, he tried to put a full body hit on someone and bounced off. Was gold.

 

[1910]

Queensland were clunky and dis-jointed in attack, passive and allowed soft tries in defence.

DCE was ineffective in attack but got through a mountain of defence very effectively which was clearly their plan. Tough week for him, funeral on Monday and it just didn't come off last night.

It is very hard for a seven to come into a side and use a style based on another seven. Tough gig and his across field runs seem to crowd the players.

Queensland didn't execute their plan well, it was always, feet and angled runs and they just couldn't get it smoothly running. Telling that Parker was the only forward to break a decent amount of metres.

New South Wales the better side.

I thought the moment they took the two points was telling also, not sure in years past they would have and both Smith and Jono pointed straight at the posts.

 

[ivanhungryjak]