NSW Five Eigth

[Twiztid]

It seriously has got to be a QLD thing to see that sticking with one team of play makers is the solution. How can you be happy to change your spine AGAIN?

I'm sorry, but the NSW selectors are full retard if they don't persist with the same spine.

Well I can't see changing the spine being any worse than taking a guy who isn't at 100% and has had a really bad injury who is obviously lacking confidence on his running game because to it. I honestly don't recall any of the QLD spine having any considerable injury issues that has ever had any impact on spine selections. The spine has almost always been placed on the paper first with the rest of the team selections placed around them, something QLD have been extremely lucky with.

We are keeping some of the spine together in Farrah and Pearce coming back (I assume). I still think that Maloney coming in will not negatively impact the spine of the team. 1 less spot player in defence, a solid goal kicker and someone who can run the ball when required depending on what he sees.

 

[Broncoman]

The media keep throwing Sutton up as an option, please please please please pick him and Merritt. Are they that dumb?

The reason why Nathan Merritt isn't picked for origin is because he doesn't get involved enough and doesn't do the hard work through the middle. Look at the stats from the Souths-Manly game which was a brutal and intense game he went MIA all night. He also lacks the ability to break tackles from making a kick return.

 

[Twiztid]

The reason why Nathan Merritt isn't picked for origin is because he doesn't get involved enough and doesn't do the hard work through the middle. Look at the stats from the Souths-Manly game which was a brutal and intense game he went MIA all night. He also lacks the ability to break tackles from making a kick return.

You do realise Merritt is a winger? His job isn't to come in and do the hard work through the middle when he isn't required. His job is to protect that wing and his centre, read the defence for when to jam or rush up. I think he did that perfectly against Manly because he helped Goodwin close down Lyon and Williams all night. He might not break tackles as well as bigger wingers but I think he makes up with that with one of the best support games and if used like how he was in the All Stars match as a revolving fullback in patches will add an extra element to the team.

Because we need to out score Qld this year instead of grinding out the win.

 

[Big Pete]

Twiz - Queensland have had their share of injuries. In 2008, Queensland were without Lockyer for the entire series and lost his replacement twenty minutes within the decider. In 2011, JT went off at a crucial time, then last year we had Slater play through a knee injury in the second game and miss the decider. Perhaps if the Maroons were to compare scars with the Blues over the past 7 series the Blues would come up the victors but Queensland haven't had it all their own way.

Merritt is an ordinary player. Handy club player but has too many mistakes in him and doesn't really offer anything other than speed and the ability to finish. If that's what NSW want out-wide, they have better options. This line that I see used elsewhere about how he's been robbed of a jersey always makes me laugh. Yes, perhaps a tad unlucky given the likes of Wolfman, Turner, Quinn, McManus etc. were given shots but truth be told, Merritt was never in any better form than them and when the time came for players to put their hands up, Merritt went missing.

I thought last Friday's game was a great illustration of Merritt. For all intents and purposes, should have been congratulated for his hard work but he'd find some way to stuff it up. The consolation try specialist of the new millenium (how many 80th minute tries has he scored?), a proud Souths player but not a worthy representative player.

 

[Son Edo]

Merritt is regarded as a poor defender too, but Uate isn't really any better in that department either, soo..

If he gets picked all the luck to him.

 

[Big Pete]

Uate is virtually a stronger version of Merritt.

Except with more upside.