certainly rather have Scott than Hoffman.
just because your from Melbourne doesnt mean your automatically good, look at how Bellamy coached - 2 from 9..... almost as good as pearce, 3 from 12.....
not one or the other gets selected though. both are specific-side edge forwards and play on the opposite edge, although in opposition teams they will mark each other - Hoffman left; Scott right. They are also behind Bird and Lewis respectively as edge forwards anway.
the dilemma Daley had last season when composing his pack was that there weren't too many stand out props for NSW, and he believed that Hoffman on the left edge was safer and better for the team than a 3rd recognised prop in addition to Tamou and Fifita (even though Grant was always available). this meant Bird was shifted from his regular left edge position and into the middle third as Hoffman came in, and Gallen was called a prop along with Merrin on the bench.
this year, we don't have as much of an issue with props as Woods will be a better addition than Hoffman who is mediocre this year anyhow. The team will be stronger with Bird back on the left, Gallen as a middle forward with an additional prop selected on the run-on like Woods. Merrin will be the 4th prop or an additional mobile middle forward with Watmough on the bench.
the issue is Lewis on the right edge if he fails to be fit in time. even if both Hoffman and Scott were both playing lights out, Scott would get it because it's his side of the field. if Mullen gets selected, then it's a near certainty as i think Jarrod plays on the right too and there's a right-side club combo which would be invaluable in defence and attack.
That's what the QLDers have had on us for years as they've basically had the same team every series. And even when they came together in the early days, they utilised the same combinations at club - Lockyer, Thaiday, Hodges & Tate/Yeo Yeh were all right side players for Brisbane and then for QLD too.
