NRL loyalists are preferred over guys who left for other comps. He'll serve his time and be back next year. That's why Lillyman over Johnson, though Lillyman is playing prop these days, so really, it was Parker who got in ahead of Johnson.
Never been the case before though has it, Langer for example. I agree that Parker got the nod ahead of positionally, but I think he deserves it for his efforts of the last few seasons.
I think Lillyman is out of position at prop and certainly below Origin prop standard. Hes been unimpressive in the games Ive see him play (including one game live against Melbourne in a winning team)
Whereas as DJ has been a star(leading the NRL tackle count) in a well performing team this year (certianly far more consistent than the Warriors) . All good for Cowboys fans though, having a fully fit DJ not playing Origin is only going to help.
Weird that we only got 2 players in the 17, when in wooden spoon years gone by we have had 5 and 6.
