There is actually a hint that Hindy may come out of rep retirement.
I think we have plenty of options in various positions, but no one in any of our positions has stood out apart from Jarryd Hayne. Jarryd stared on the wing for the Blues but his impact for Parra at fullback was incredible. He still has some defencive immaturities with his fullback play so I wouldnt object to leaving him on the wing with Stewart at fullback. But only if Stewart is the fullback, no one else.
I think we also need to incorperate club combinations in attack. If we can have 2 or 3 club combinations in the side, then I think that will help with the comfort and flow of our attack. So id like to see Kimmorley and Josh Morris together. Soward, Cooper and Brett Morris. Hayne and Tahu, etc etc.
We also then have players like Jennings, Lawrence, Carney, Pearce, Mullen, etc etc, all competing for positions, but they were there last year aswell and to be honest, none of them really stepped up and stood out. And thats what I think NSW selectors need to do. Get the possible selections of players together now and tell them that the ones who stand up, who take leadership on the field for their team and make an impact, consistantly.
Fullbacks we have Stewart, Hayne, Gidley and possibly Mini.
Wing I think is locked up as Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne (or Brett Stewart)
Centers therse a few choices, Cooper, Jennings, Lawrence, Tahu, J.Morris, and at a stretch Lyon and Monahaghn. (Id even consider Mad Dog, very very strong man, can contain Inglis)
Five eights, Soward, Carney, Mullen, Barrett or if we wanted to basically go for an extra forward there is Bird and Sutton.
Halfbacks we have Kimmorley, Pearce, Carney, Mullen and Wallace. None of which I have faithin other then Kimmorley for his experience but I do like Mullens skills with the boot and his calm head.
The forward I think will work themselves out aslong as we dont have any softies in the pack. Farah and Ennis can both win the series for the Blues so no concern there.
My team, assuming the players I select are performing to what we know they can.
1. Hayne
2. J.Morris (I can see Tahu being a mentor for him through out the series. One day I think J.Morris will be a long term center and Tahus can have a great influence on that)
3. Tahu
4. Cooper (been there, reliable, we know what we will get from him. Will shut down Hodges which solves one problem)
5. B.Morris
6. Soward (mainly for his kicking game, its great and he can be an x-factor. Wouldnt be dissapointed to see Carney there (Carney is one talented player) or Mullen (whom I think is untapped and a potiential captain with the right guidence))
7. Kimmorley (experience)
8. Poore
9. Ennis (get into Cameron Smiths ear, like Smithy did to Buderus)
10. Weyman
11. Hindmarsh (captain, show me someone better)
12. Gallen
13. Watmough
14. Farah (Interchange hooker, can fill in at half. Can be like Shaun Berrigan if given free reign)
15. Lewis (utility, can play center and second row easily and effectivly)
16. Ryles (fingers crossed he finds form, he actually was playing well before he left the NRL)
17. TLL
There are some iffy selections in there, Like Poore, Creagh, Cooper, Ryles, etc etc. But I think that side has a mix of experience, hard headedness and some flair while also looking towards the future.
But our biggest problem is that we have alot of really good players who can even dominate the entire QLD side. Just none of them have stepped up and its been that way for a few years. Guys like Mason, O'Meley, Grothe, Ryles, Hoffman, O'Donnell, Kite, G.Stewart, J.Perry and others whom I just cant think of at the moment.
There is no player, other then Jarryd Hayne, who has performed so well that they cannot be refused a spot in the side and that needs to be addressed by the selectors before the season starts.
