Eels in City v Country Origin

[Parrasque]

Grothe, Morrison, Tahu Riddell, Morris might all be considered, with perhaps only Grothe and Morrison ending up selected.

Craig Gower will be City hooker won't he, since he didn't feature in the test?

Gower is a halfback, why would he be playing hooker?

 

[Stagger eel]

on current form.

Country

* Tahu for a wing spot

* Morris on the bench

* Morrison for back row possy.

city

* Grothe, but probably only just.

* Riddell, but only because Woolford, Priddis, Buderous are country boys and Wing is a specialist bench player in any rep game.

 

[Utey]

Gower can easily slot into hooker. Played his younger days at hooker. But if he isnt selected as a halfback he probably wont be there at all.

 

[eloquentEEL]

* Riddell, but only because Woolford, Priddis, Buderous are country boys and Wing is a specialist bench player in any rep game.

Wing played in the test, so he most likely won't be playing city-country. which other City hookers are there?

 

[bartman]

Yeah fair point. I'm just guessing that Gower's still in National/State selectors minds, so he'd feature in the City team somewhere?

Keeping Gower in the rep mix means dropping either Orford or Riddell from last years' City side. I'd say there'd be more pressure/expectation to keep Orford in the side than Riddell. Maybe Riddell might end up on the bench as a utility?

For reference, last year's city side was:
Brett Hodgson
Hazem El Masri
Ryan Cross
Luke Lewis - played State of Origin 04
Luke Rooney - played Anzac test 05
Braith Anasta
Matt Orford
Jason Stevens - played State of Origin 04
Mark Riddell
Mark O'Meley - played Anzac test 05
Bryan Fletcher - getting older?
Lance Thompson - getting older?
Steve Menzies - getting older?
John Skandalis
Shane Rodney
Sam Harris
Brad Drew - gone o/s

 

[bartman]

Actually, I've given this whole issue a little more thought, and I think Stringer is a chance of being picked as a bench prop for Country as well.

They are weakened in the forwards through injury, and apart from Kite, Bailey and Cusack I don't know of any country props that would be picked ahead of him?

Last years country side for reference:
Luke Patten
Amos Roberts
Matt Cooper
Matt King
Nathan Blacklock - overseas
Scott Hill
Brett Kimmorley - played Anzac test
Peter Cusack
Luke Priddis - played Anzac test
Ryan O'Hara - injured
Andrew Ryan
Willie Mason - injured
Glenn Morrison
Daniel Abraham - injured
Kurt Gidley
Brent Kite
Josh Perry

 

[Ant]

Just on Priddis for those who have made comment, he was originally a canberra player from my recollection, came onto to the scene with a big boom in the super league years. I think he made either nsw super league or australian super side from the raiders.

 

[Haynzy]

signed from Canberra to the Adelaide Rams to replace Kerrod Walters. He was touted as one of their best signings for the year before they were sacrificed. He was then picked up by the Broncos before heading to Penrith.

 

[bartman]

And Priddis did play for Australia (Super League) in 1997 - a long time between rep jerseys!

 

[PB]

burt would be an outside chance if he continues to improve

i think Stewart from Manly will get the Country fullback role ahead of Hornby. He may have half a chance of a wing spot though...