Full credit to DCE last night, he was most definitely the difference.
However I don't think anyone ever questioned his ability. The reason he wasn't selected was never due to ability, it was down to his team mentality. He's not a team player. He can be, when he has a personal point to prove (like he did last night), but that's not how he normally plays long-term.
Once DCE gets comfortable in a team, he wants to call the shots. That in itself isn't bad, it's a great trait for a halfback to have, but he inevitably puts himself first, the team second. He would rather lose a game as a general, than win a game as a soldier. Last night's performance doesn't change that, he was playing at his best in order to prove himself.
Walters' decision to not play him was playing the long game, therefore I don't think it was the wrong decision. Was it the wrong decision therefore playing DCE last night? Time will tell. It was great to not lose the series 3-0, but is the team going to suffer long term because of DCE's attitude? Without Smith, Slater, Cronk, Thurston, and most of the seasoned players of the last 10 years, DCE is well and truly going to be one of the senior players from now on and after that game last night, he's going to expect to be able to run the team how he wants it. Once again, that's okay for a halfback, but not for one who has shown to always put himself before the team.
This is my main gripe as well.
There is no doubt he performed quite well last night, albeit in a dead rubber and backed by a dominant team in almost every aspect (which he definitely deserves credit for). For that reason he should (form and injury allowing) be the 7 for game 1 next year.
But what I have grave doubts over is whether he will put himself on the line and serve the team and his mates when the going gets tough.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I have also never seen him do that desperate extra 1% we expect from an Origin player in any game I have seen him play. Not one!
FWIW, as much as I think he is a filthy **** for his blatant lying and backflip on the Tits, that matters little on the field.
Also, as much as I am a Taylor fanboy (not of his current attitude though), if DCE performs to his ability under adverse conditions, I will back his selection continuously 100%.
Now onto other things about last night's game, Cooper is nearing his retirement, but FMD people are being harsh on him. He was again the top forward in runs and meters for Qld, didn't miss tackles, had a try assist and prevented Munster from being cited for putting a player in a dangerous position.
Sure, he is slower and once Gillo is back, Kaufusi is probably the better player to put there (unless Hess has an extraordinary first half of the 2019 season), but he deserves way more credit than he is being given.
P.S. LOL at blaming Wallace for Tedesco's try... that one is on Moose (probably worried because he let Cook through on his previous long range line break), but as Morkel said, the bigger problem was the handling of the previous tackle.
