2018 Origin I - QLD 12-22 NSW @ MCG

[Hutty1986]

I think after 1 series win in 12 years, NSW won't be lacking any passion or will to win.

 

[some11]

The announcements of both teams just seems so f**king half assed.

If it were me in charge, I’d send both sets of selectors and coaches to a rural town in each respective state and do the announcement on a sunday night at 6:30pm. You don’t need the players there, let them celebrate their selections with their families. This gives some buzz to the towns, the media will send staff out, you know there will be a decent turnout by locals so it will be a bit of an event.

Do a live cross and announce the NSW fullback, QLD then announce their fullback. NSW name their right winger, QLD announce their left winger, so on and so on. Have a little break after 2 positions, let the studio hosts analyze the selections for a couple of minutes then back to the live crosses for the selections.

I just think you could make a really good hour or 90mins with decent ratings if you treat the announcent like a mini NFL draft along with some decent production (probably means only fox could give it the respect it deserves), teams also need to put it out there who their first choice is at each position. Players will rock up and do medicals the next day, if they fail, you have 4-5 extras that were announced on the Sunday night.

You've put too much thought into it mate, leaks from shitrag writers on twitter is all the rage these days.

 

[beave]

You've put too much thought into it mate, leaks from shitrag writers on twitter is all the rage these days.

My mail is........

 

[some11]

I think QLD supporters are in for a bit of a shock with how differently the side will perform without Smith, JT and Cronk.

For one I don't think Munster/Hunt have the kicking game to pressure NSW and McCullough doesn't run or kick enough as it is for the Broncos - he's not going to provide the composure Smith did when QLD were in the shit late in a game.

 

[blaza88z]

I think QLD supporters are in for a bit of a shock with how differently the side will perform without Smith, JT and Cronk.

For one I don't think Munster/Hunt have the kicking game to pressure NSW and McCullough doesn't run or kick enough as it is for the Broncos - he's not going to provide the composure Smith did when QLD were in the shit late in a game.

Under no illusions here, I remember like it was yesterday how shit we were that year Cronk was out for the series

 

[Tommy Smith]

I think QLD supporters are in for a bit of a shock with how differently the side will perform without Smith, JT and Cronk.

For one I don't think Munster/Hunt have the kicking game to pressure NSW and McCullough doesn't run or kick enough as it is for the Broncos - he's not going to provide the composure Smith did when QLD were in the shit late in a game.

Nailed it.

It'll be a massive on field culture shock - with the absence of Smith hitting home the hardest.

But all 3 are amongst the greatest kicking options in the opponents 20m zone in history. And they've been replaced by three players who have very limited attacking kicking games. That alone as you stated is a massive drop off.

Going forward Qld absolutely have the talent in Ponga, Munster, Taylor, Milford, Hunt and McCullogh; but for this series at least it'll be a huge shock playing without the genius and composure of those genuine legends.

So if NSW don't win this year they might as well just forfeit in future.

 

[This Year?]

If NSW don't win this game and don't go on and win the series it will be the most epic fail in rugby league history.

 

[The Vaulting Violinist]

Chambers, Holmes and Inglis will score at will down our flanks

Just gotta hope we out score them

Not as convinced as everyone else

 

[Spot On]

@ This Year?

Pretty hard to top the past 12 years bro. But I get what you are saying.

I'm sure all involved believe the same thing. Pressure is already on.

That's the burden and mental scar of being perennial losers.

And both sides know it.

 

[Cherry_poppins]

31 years since Souths have had two NSW players in one game

I hope these selections have more merit than Merritt

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Would not be surprised at all to see QLD go in as $3.00 outsiders

 

[Dave_]

Some major underestimation of the 2 head side here. They still have Slater and Inglis...2 absolute merkins at Origin level who will undoubtedly perform a few miracle plays between them.

The bad guys should still be favourites based solely on the last 10 years alone

 

[t-ba]

If NSW don't win this game and don't go on and win the series it will be the most epic fail in rugby league history.

1995 Origin says hi.

Weren't the 2001 Eels the most statistically dominant side in history by some ridiculous margin as well?

But yes, this would join the upper echelons of epic fail.

 

[Dave_]

Everyone is quick to point out the fact that the good guys have a kicking game advantage but does it really matter how good your kicking game is when Slater is playing for the bad guys? There's no such thing as a good kicking game against him.

I also hope we start well because I worry about heads dropping if we get behind early....a lot of young blokes (and Maloney) out there who aren't great defenders. We don't have 2 Origin greats like the 2 heads do and we don't have a great leader out there. No one for NSW is proven at this level where as the mongs have those players like Gagai who go superhuman in Origin despite being some of the worst club footballers around.

I'm happy with the side but we need to be realistic. We'll be media and betting favourites but there's no chance we should be.

 

[OldPanther]

Everyone is quick to point out the fact that the good guys have a kicking game advantage but does it really matter how good your kicking game is when Slater is playing for the bad guys? There's no such thing as a good kicking game against him.

I also hope we start well because I worry about heads dropping if we get behind early....a lot of young blokes (and Maloney) out there who aren't great defenders. We don't have 2 Origin greats like the 2 heads do and we don't have a great leader out there. No one for NSW is proven at this level where as the mongs have those players like Gagai who go superhuman in Origin despite being some of the worst club footballers around.

I'm happy with the side but we need to be realistic. We'll be media and betting favourites but there's no chance we should be.

Make no mistake Maloney has a very high footy I.Q and is a leader. Watching him this year has been amazing. The work he does off the ball talking and directing is why we are top 4. Jimmy is at his premiership winning best because we gave him the money he wanted and NSW will get the rewards.

 

[OldPanther]

Chambers, Holmes and Inglis will score at will down our flanks

Just gotta hope we out score them

Not as convinced as everyone else

I wish these meme would die already. QLD won't get through as easily as people think.

 

[veggiepatch1959]

Nailed it.

It'll be a massive on field culture shock - with the absence of Smith hitting home the hardest.

The absence of the third on field referee will be the telling factor.

 

[ed-grimley]

Thanks for that "clarification".

I find it strange that some expat New South Welshmen abandon their Sydney and NSW SoO teams for the Queensland varieties. I witnessed that a lot when I lived in Bundaberg for eight years.

That would make me feel so dirty. It would be like flicking your hot looking missus for a skanky ice addicted hooker with only three teeth in her head.

Queenslanders have dreams too.

 

[ed-grimley]

Everyone is quick to point out the fact that the good guys have a kicking game advantage but does it really matter how good your kicking game is when Slater is playing for the bad guys? There's no such thing as a good kicking game against him.

I also hope we start well because I worry about heads dropping if we get behind early....a lot of young blokes (and Maloney) out there who aren't great defenders. We don't have 2 Origin greats like the 2 heads do and we don't have a great leader out there. No one for NSW is proven at this level where as the mongs have those players like Gagai who go superhuman in Origin despite being some of the worst club footballers around.

I'm happy with the side but we need to be realistic. We'll be media and betting favourites but there's no chance we should be.

How many have there been since Origin kicked off?

 

[slamminsam246]

IMO:
Qld better backs (exp + defence)
Nsw better spine (kicking game + pressure handling)
Equal forwards
Nsw slightly better bench.

Intriguing battle. Heart QLD head NSW...