Short of an injury to the Queensland spine, I can't see us getting them again this year without Daley thinking right outside the square on how he picks and prepares this team.
Even in the event of injury, Queensland has DCE for Half-Back, They can move Inglis to Fullback, Ballin to Hooker. Cronk could move to 5/8 for DCE if Thurston was injured or even Smith/Inglis could move. And to be honest, all of those backup options are better than anything we can pick.... Outside of perhaps fullback we may be able to draw level.
A smart look at how the Storm have been shut down previously is probably the only way to do this. The best options I can think of where most of that back line has been shut down was by either the Sea Eagles in 2008 (Smith not available) or during one of the series the Kiwi's have won (with Shenius as coach)... That's the template as far as I am concerned. You need need quick backs, 80 minute second rowers (fit and in form) and some mobile heavy duty props. Aggressive, solid line in defence. You also need a big kicking game to turn them around. We won't beat the back line without absolutely destroying the energy levels of their forwards.
I find it interesting that some have pulled G Stewart as not SOO style player... But how anybody could leave Watmough out based on that theory is beyond me. The way I see it, you want at least one or the other. I'm thinking more to Watmough myself. But if we go for the same halves as last year, you want ball playing second rowers who can tackle. As they will be defending on their line unless they can put on a try.
I've not rated Daley historically. His commentary stinks of favouritism to certain sides, and unfortunately there is no room to accommodate that at this level. Especially facing the best side ever in SOO history.
As a Manly fan, I've always loved watching my players play SOO, especially against each other. I no longer look forward to seeing my teams players on the field in SOO. They don't seem to bring that much back by playing it any longer. Thankfully our key positions are normally ok as we have 2nd level QLD'ers or Kiwi's in prime positions, except our back row. I wonder if this was by design or just pure luck.
