1. Jarryd Hayne - Always one of the Blues best
2. Brett Morris - Never deserved his guaranteed spot, but persistence paid off eventually and since Game 3 last year he has been deserving
3. Michael Jennings - Best left centre in NSW.
4. Blake Ferguson - Best available right centre in NSW... would prefer him playing in position over Morris on the wrong side of the field
5. Jorge Taufua - Should have been picked in Game 2. We need wingers who have high workrates and can help the forwards out. This guy is built for Origin... pretty much the exact opposite of Merritt
6. Josh Reynolds - Maloney only ever had his spot due to the combination with Pearce, and Pearce should have been dropped long ago. Reynolds is tough and now that he has game time behind him, deserves to start
7. Todd Carney - I know he is more of a 5/8 then halfback, but even out of position I would back him to be more likely to win a game for NSW then Pearce.
8. Tim Grant - Can't believe he was ever dropped after his debut. Should be a guaranteed pick unless injured or his form/workrate drops off completely
9. Robbie Farah - The only position with absolutely no competition at all.
10. Paul Gallen (c) - Best thing about Gallen in the front row is his work rate doesn't hurt the team like it does at lock/second row where the backline movements die with him.
11. Luke Lewis - Need him playing like he did in Game 1 again.
12. Greg Bird - The guy loves his Origin footy. Would just like to see him let his centre and winger get a bit more ball. I think there are more points in us if he shares the ball with them.
13. Anthony Watmough - Another proven Origin second rower. Would have him starting with Bird and Lewis... they are all pretty much interchangeable aswell. But I think Watmough has the best build and style for playing in the middle.
14. Andrew Fifita - Our only forward outside of Gallen to come near making 100 metres. Like Grant I can see him being around for a long time to come if he keeps his workrate up
15. James Tamou - His form has been rough this season. But he was great last year and hopefully his latest f*ck up is the kick in the ass he needs to get him to fire up and focus on his footy. Also think another front rower is very important for the team.
16. Trent Merrin - Would use him in the second row or at lock. I think rotating him with Watmough would keep a similar style being played in the middle.
17. Wade Graham - Would use him as a second rower and rotate him with Bird and/or Lewis. But with Graham on the bench, and Lewis and Bird starting you also have cover right across the field basically. So any injury or players having absolute shockers could be covered reasonably well.
