State of Origin Team Selected by Phil Rothfield - 5 Dragons incl.!!

[Drag Queen]

I would pick if all are fit

1 Teddy
2 Fergo
3 T Trbojevic
4 Roberts
5 Mansour
6 Maloney
7 Cleary
13 DeBelin
12 Frizell
11 Cordner
10 Klemmer
9 Cook
8 Vaughn

14 Utility to be confirmed
15 Campbell Gillard
16 James
17 J Trbjoevic

I do think that Tom Turbo is a better option at fullback than Teddy, but I want to fit them both in the team. I have seen Tom play very well at centre, but have not seen Teddy play well in any other position than fullback.

I can't believe I agree with you Frank but Trbojevic (excuse the spelling) should be FB. Tedesco isn't firing on all cylinders since he joined the Chooks. I wouldn't rule out Moylan either.

 

[Frank Facer]

That’s because Peachey isn’t a 5/8. He’s an edge backrower with the ability to play centre, lock and hooker. And he’s a prototype Origin player - tough, skilful and able to create out of nothing.

Utility doesn’t need to be able to fill in every position as long as there’s a plan to cover injuries - move a second rower to centre, centre to wing or fullback, etc. What’s more important is for the utility to have a role to play outside of injuries (like Mann is now). Watson doesn’t really have that as you’d be crazy to replace a half mid-Origin. Whereas Peachey can play hooker, forwards or a roaming impact role.

The other option is Cook off the bench with Korisau or McInnes starting. Cook would provide great spark at hooker, has the skills and speed to cause havoc from lock and has experience playing in the backline in ISP.

We need to have a plan in case we have to cover any position in the backline. Watson can play 5/8, centre or fullback. If there was an injury to our halfback, then Maloney could move to halfback and Watson to 5/8. The only reason I would be replacing a half mid game is if they were injured.

Cook isn't a lock, even though he has played there mid game. I would have Cook starting hooker and playing 80 minutes.

I don't want Peachey playing lock, hooker, centre, 5/8 or anywhere else for that matter in the NSW team.

My utility would probably only get game time if there was an injury to one of the backline. None of my forwards are very capable of playing centre in origin.

If I went for Aitken as my utility, he would be able to cover for a centre. Tom Turbo would have to be moved to cover for an injury to a winger or fullback. Aitken would also be able to come on and play edge backrower, but I am yet to see him play their for his club. Aitken would not provide us with a back up plan in case of an injury to a half.

If Bird was playing well and not over weight, he would get my nod as the utility.

Qld have carried a specialist half in their squad for a long time now. First it was Cronk, then it was Cherry Evans, the last year or 2 it has been Morgan. They usually only get game time if there is an injury to one of their backs. I would have the same philosophy with my utility.

I just remembered Gutherson. He is back this week. He is who I would pick as my utility. He can cover fullback, wing, centre and 5/8.

 

[Frank Facer]

I can't believe I agree with you Frank but Trbojevic (excuse the spelling) should be FB. Tedesco isn't firing on all cylinders since he joined the Chooks. I wouldn't rule out Moylan either.

I am just wondering, did you also disagree with me, or ridicule my comment, when I said that Lomax is our best backline prospect that we have had since Gasnier?

 

[Drag Queen]

I am just wondering, did you also disagree with me, or ridicule my comment, when I said that Lomax is our best backline prospect that we have had since Gasnier?

Don't recall ever dissing Lomax. Must have been someone else because I rate the kid. The only times I've ridiculed you is when you add lol to your comments Frank.

 

[BennyV]

We need to have a plan in case we have to cover any position in the backline. Watson can play 5/8, centre or fullback. If there was an injury to our halfback, then Maloney could move to halfback and Watson to 5/8. The only reason I would be replacing a half mid game is if they were injured.

Cook isn't a lock, even though he has played there mid game. I would have Cook starting hooker and playing 80 minutes.

I don't want Peachey playing lock, hooker, centre, 5/8 or anywhere else for that matter in the NSW team.

My utility would probably only get game time if there was an injury to one of the backline. None of my forwards are very capable of playing centre in origin.

If I went for Aitken as my utility, he would be able to cover for a centre. Tom Turbo would have to be moved to cover for an injury to a winger or fullback. Aitken would also be able to come on and play edge backrower, but I am yet to see him play their for his club. Aitken would not provide us with a back up plan in case of an injury to a half.

If Bird was playing well and not over weight, he would get my nod as the utility.

Qld have carried a specialist half in their squad for a long time now. First it was Cronk, then it was Cherry Evans, the last year or 2 it has been Morgan. They usually only get game time if there is an injury to one of their backs. I would have the same philosophy with my utility.

I just remembered Gutherson. He is back this week. He is who I would pick as my utility. He can cover fullback, wing, centre and 5/8.

Gutherson would be a decent option.

QLDs ‘utility half’ has always got 15+ minutes of game time, usually playing as an extra playmaker in the middle (like Mann is for us). This was used as succession planning for Cronk to take over from Lockyer, get DCE and Morgan some game time to take over from JT/Cronk and last year to expose Hunt to Origin. You’d be silly to go into a game expecting to use 16 players and the 17th only to cover injuries, it would f**k with your interchange strategy.