Very interesting, but you all have forgotten 4 things.
1) Selectors always respect people who have stood tall in the green and gold before. (strengthening Kimmorley's position)
2) Half of the selection panel a Queenslanders, and if the Broncos win their next, say, 2 games, then there is one bloke on the plane who no one has mentioned: Shaun Berrigan
3) The selectors chose the squad AFTER the grand final, not halfway through the first round of the semis, and, possibly most importantly
4) They are also looking for a 5/8.
Lets assume that Danny Berdueris will be hooker. Craig Wing is the test player that covers half and hooker, so he will go. There will be no Timmins of Ikin.
What happens if we have a 2000 GF replay - Easts v Warriors? That would mean that the halfback candidates would have lost in week 3, and I'd say Kimmorley would be a shoe in.
Quite simply, Gower, Sherwin and Orford need to get in the GF to have a chance. Sherwin would have to be the pick, as Anasta is now a big chance to be 5/8. Selectors like combinations. However, if the Dogs play like they did last night, Sherwin wouldn't go.
Orford has the bonus that Matt Geyer is probably the form available 5/8, and he HAS represented before with distinction. The Storm are also in form, as are their halves.Big plus.
Preston Campbell, despite his talents,will not be mentioned nuless he goes close to a Clive Curchill medal. Gower HAS had rep experience, but not since he disgraced himself at Coogee. I'd say penrith would have to win the comp, or at least lost to the Warriors orEasts to make it.
I reckon Berrigan needs 2 more bronco wins to get the job. he is the only half in the finals that has Origin experience, and he has planty of it. He was the half that played in Queensland's big win, and he has the combination with Lockeyer. You need someone who can tell the likes of Tallis, Webcke, Kennedy, Gidley et al what you want of them - a big call for a young player in the test arena.
If I had a bet,I'd say that I would be backing this combination for the first test,in order:
1) Kimmorley/Berrigan
2) Orford/Geyer
3) Kimmorley/Anasta
4) Sherwin/Anasta
The again, as Chris Anderson alluded to earlier in the year, Noddy might play 5/8 (I'm sure he's be capable of it). If so, I'd back Berrigan over Orford to play half.
Interesting to see how it a;lpans out.