2018 Origin I - QLD 12-22 NSW @ MCG

[WaznTheGreat]

New Wazn Wales by 80

 

[ed-grimley]

QLD are fielding the worst side to don the Maroon in over a decade and you still need to make excuses well before kickoff? lol

I always see NSW as underdogs.

 

[Meapro Ham]

defence is part of being a really good player

Roberts is just questionable on so many grounds, and Mitchell is so inexperienced, Aitken was perhaps the only other option, and he's dodgy as f**k. or Peachey but he's a backrower...

Just reflects how centres have become an afterthought in today's game TBH

I worry more about the back three starting sets, Tedesco and Addo Carr aren't big units, and TomT is out of position - think leaving out Cotric was a mistake, and Sauce being hurt is a shame

But there are points in them - and a lot depends on what the refs do, if the penalty-athon contunues (I doubt it will) NSW will win with goal kicking...

the NSW pack should get the edge, but that was the case last year too

This is the biggest weakness in the blues side, the starting of sets by the back 3. Surely Fergo was the obvious choice, his stats for starting sets are huge. I understand the reasons why he was left out but the strengths overcome the weaknesses IMO. Instead they’ve taken the each way punt on Tom T and Tedesco because they couldn’t choose between the two.

 

[2010Dragons]

Who is the weakest link in the Blue defensive line?
I think Maloney and Cook are the weakest link.
Both players deserve to be in the team, they have earn that right.
But, Maloney has missed 81 tackles in 12 games. He will get a lot traffic his way.
The Maroons forwards will also run hard at Cook to sap his energy and slow down his blistering speed.
Good luck to the Blues.

Qld by 2

 

[Hutty1986]

Hutty, normally you make sense. But........ erm, have you ever been to New South Wales??

If there was no passion the Sydney games would be deadset ghost towns for a decade. Plenty of passionate Blues fans out there.

 

[Meapro Ham]

Who is the weakest link in the Blue defensive line?
I think Maloney and Cook are the weakest link.
Both players deserve to be in the team, they have earn that right.
But, Maloney has missed 81 tackles in 12 games. He will get a lot traffic his way.
The Maroons forwards will also run hard at Cook to sap his energy and slow down his blistering speed.
Good luck to the Blues.

Qld by 2

The blues have potential defensive issues right across the park. They’re likely going to need to score a lot of points to overcome it.

 

[OldPanther]

This is the biggest weakness in the blues side, the starting of sets by the back 3. Surely Fergo was the obvious choice, his stats for starting sets are huge. I understand the reasons why he was left out but the strengths overcome the weaknesses IMO. Instead they’ve taken the each way punt on Tom T and Tedesco because they couldn’t choose between the two.

Fittler spoke directly to this issue and the need to address it. They'll be fine.

 

[Meapro Ham]

Fittler spoke directly to this issue and the need to address it. They'll be fine.

Fergo comes up with 200+ metres every week. Pretty hard to replace that no matter what Freddy says.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Fergo also goes out on the piss pre game.

 

[Cherry_poppins]

Keep whinging and trying to make up excuses. You’re pathetic!

At least I don't f**k my family you sick f**k

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

At least I don't f**k my family you sick f**k

Nah you just abduct little boys

 

[Spot On]

Fergo comes up with 200+ metres every week. Pretty hard to replace that no matter what Freddy says.

Now deduct the metres he gives back to the opposition when he drops the ball every second hit up.

Bloke is balls too much of the time.

Bloody horrible defender as well.

 

[Mr Angry]

Random Manly winger.

Even with Bozo gone.

 

[Cherry_poppins]

Random Manly winger.

Even with Bozo gone.

Yeah he should've been fullback

He's already slayed Billy boy

 

[TheFrog]

But, Maloney has missed 81 tackles in 12 games.

Missed tackle stats do not necessarily indicate poor defence. The two highest teams for missed tackles also have the fewest points scored against them, one of them Maloney's team. As an indicator of who is likely to concede points, missed tackles are worse than useless. Fittler knows this. That is why Maloney and Cook are in the side.

 

[Spot On]

Who is the weakest link in the Blue defensive line?
I think Maloney and Cook are the weakest link.
Both players deserve to be in the team, they have earn that right.
But, Maloney has missed 81 tackles in 12 games. He will get a lot traffic his way.
The Maroons forwards will also run hard at Cook to sap his energy and slow down his blistering speed.
Good luck to the Blues.

Qld by 2

Apparently the QLD backline have missed a combined 201 tackles this season.

NSW have missed 171 with Maloney registering 81 of those.

Maloney is the one that needs to be on his defensive game.

Cook not too much worse than McCullough but you are right, he'll get a working over.

 

[Haffa]

Yeah he should've been fullback

He's already slayed Billy boy

Even though he’s not at FB. people forget how good he was on the Wing before Stewart went down. He was a kid scoring tries at will.

 

[ed-grimley]

Who is the weakest link in the Blue defensive line?
I think Maloney and Cook are the weakest link.
Both players deserve to be in the team, they have earn that right.
But, Maloney has missed 81 tackles in 12 games. He will get a lot traffic his way.
The Maroons forwards will also run hard at Cook to sap his energy and slow down his blistering speed.
Good luck to the Blues.

Qld by 2

Roberts' defence iss a concern as well.

 

[GongPanther]

Agreed. But I reckon Fitler would have a pretty good plan, he has a smart football brain

A low intensity game against nsw cup opposition or something would be smart to get combos working

After tonight's bonding session (I'm guessing the Wollomooloo Bay Hotel),they'll be in serious mode from Thursday.(get over the hangover tomorrow Wed,with just a light run).

 

[The Vaulting Violinist]

Who would’ve been most likely to get monged last night is the salient question?

Surely BBQ and The Jet

Fergo and Duges the testing material but both out

Freddy putting away the schooners in the Coogee Bay beer garden until dawn