Qld SOS Squad

[timmeah]

From qrl.com.au

TOUGH as teak Melbourne backrower Dallas Johnson and flashy North Queensland pivot Johnathan Thurston are in line for their State of Origin debuts after being named in Queensland’s 22-man preliminary squad.



On the other side of the coin, Maroon veterans Jason Smith and Brad Thorn are set to be recalled to the State side after several years’ absence.

The 22-man squad includes the core of last year’s team which lost 2-1 to New South Wales, as well as a smattering of in-form players from this year’s NRL competition.

With long-serving prop Shane Webcke opting out of representative football, Petero Civoniceva is joined by possible front row candidates Steve Price, Ben Ross, Carl Webb and Thorn.

The battle for the halfback role for Game I on May 25 at Suncorp Stadium will create much interest, as incumbent Scott Prince battles Thurston to retain his place.

In the centres, Australian pair Willie Tonga and Shaun Berrigan have Paul Bowman and Brent Tate breathing down their necks. Although not picked in the squad, selectors will also be mindful of goal-kicking ace Josh Hannay.

Three fullbacks in Rhys Wesser, Matt Bowen and Billy Slater have been selected, with Matt Sing the sole specialist winger.

Queensland Maroons 22-man Squad: Shaun Berrigan, Matt Bowen, Paul Bowman, Tonie Carroll, Petero Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Chris Flannery, Dallas Johnson, Darren Lockyer, Steven Price, Scott Prince, Ben Ross, Matt Sing, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Jason Smith, Brent Tate, Brad Thorn, Johnathan Thurston, Willie Tonga, Carl Webb, Rhys Wesser.

 

[Davester]

With the way Scott Prince is going at the moment, Thurston is in with a higher chance

None the less, that could benefit the Tigers come SOO time

 

[Broncodroid]

From that 22 man squad, my 17 is as follows:

1 - Wesser
2 - Slater
3 - S. Berrigan
4 - Tonga
5 - Sing
6 - Lockyer (c)
7 - Prince
8 - Price
9 - C. Smith
10 - Civoniceva
11 - Thorn
12 - Webb
13 - Carroll

14 - Bowen
15 - Crocker
16 - Flannery
17 - Ross

I do not see Jason Smith cracking the team with TC starting at lock and of course Darren Lockyer in the team. There is a chance he will play a part in the series, though for game 1 I would be surprised to see him selected.

The only notable omission here would be the absence of Shane Tronc. His time will come...

 

[Broncodroid]

Double post

To not waste some space, I will add David Stagg must of been damn close and IMO would of been battling with Dallas Johnson from Melbourne for a spot in the 22 man squad.

 

[NPK]

Why oh why is Flannery in the squad? #-o

 

[Bullrider]

Personally i dont know how anyone can rate Crocker all he is is a crock of shit. And flannery well id personally take Matty Bowen over him for the bench utility role.

 

[The Tank]

cant believe crocker made it but flannery is quality

 

[Meanie]

I hope Crocker especially doesn't get in, he's overrated and I've never bought into the "New enforcer" tag either, but I think the Origin selectors have to much of a love affair with him

I think Broncodroids team will be pretty close to the one picked, maybe with Jason Smith replacing Flannery (Can only hope).

Looks like with that they're gonna go with Billy Slater on the wing, unless they give it to Brent Tate.

 

[Roy Rover]

I think Smith will defintely get a start off the bench. I don't think he'd be up to the pace of the start of the game but he could have real impact coming off the bench and giving QLD's attack another dimension.

 

[aenima1]

thats going to be a strong side. i think nsw are in serious trouble this year.

 

[icewind]

love affairs? smacks of em.

Crocker and Flannery don't deserve to be in the Squad, and IMO Steven Bell would be a better choice than Tate, tho maybe he'll get his chance depending on how Tate's injury affects him.

Stagg, Nutley and Bell should be in for Crocker, Flannery and Tate IMO.

 

[Special K]

Needs more Nutley.

How did Ben Ross get in over Nutley?

 

[Bumble]

Ash Harrison is where?

 

[Jordan]

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Billy Slater
3. Shaun Berrigan
4. Willie Tonga
5. Matt Sing
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Brad Thorn
12. Carl Webb
13. Tonie Carroll

14. Matt Bowen
15. Paul Bowman
16. Ben Ross
17. Chris Flannery

The problem with that side though, is the bench. QLD would be losing too much in the forwards.. Instead of Flannery on the bench, I'd prefer another front rower... If Shane Tronc can pick up his form, then he'd be able to do the job.

Another option would be to use Carl Webb off the bench and move Flannery (or someone else...Crocker, Jason Smith?) into the 2nd row. As Price and Civoniceva come off, Webb and Ross go on. I think you need 4 props at Origin level.

I also think Thurston should be there ahead of Prince. Thurston has been playing brilliantly this year. He has been the Cowboy's best player in nearly every game since round 2. He's an instinctive player, and would really take a lot of pressure off Lockyer imo.
His kicking game is great, but what has really surprised me this year is his defence.
I know the selectors have this thing about incumbency... but the fact of the matter is QLD lost last year (and haven't won a series since 2001) and, if there is a better option, a change should be made.

 

[Corbin]

1 Matt Bowen
2 Billy Slater
3 Shaun Berrigan
4 Willie Tonga
5 Matt Sing
6 Darren Lockyer
7 Scott Prince
8 Steven Price
9 Cameron Smith
10 Petero Civoniceva
11 Brad Thorn
12 Jason Smith
13 Tonie Carroll

14 Michael Crocker
15 Carl Webb
16 Ben Ross
17 Chris Flannery

I feel that Matt bowne deserves to be the fullback

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

Ash Harrison should feel slapped in the face, what a joke. Jason Smith (granted he's playing well) walks straight in after 4 years in England, while a kid like Harrison gets overlooked after working his ass off here and playing just as well in a losing side. Thorn aswell, should be playing for New Zealand!

This has just about ruled out any hope Souths have of keeping Harrison, sad really that he has to leave to get looked at for rep honours.

 

[pennywisealfie]

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Billy Slater
3. Shaun Berrigan
4. Paul Bowman (he has to play, he is the most passionate qlder we have)
5. Matt Sing
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Scott Prince (id rather seymour)
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Brad Thorn
12. Jason Smith (STAGG SHOULD BE HERE FOR SURE!)
13. Tony Carroll

14. Ben Ross
15. Carl Webb
16. Matt Bowen
17. Michael Crocker

 

[Johns Magic]

Is Schifcofske available? If he is and they haven't chosen him, he has been absolutely robbed. Best fullback this season so far, and gives them a proper goalkicker.

 

[Broncodroid]

IMO, Paul Bowman starts or he doesn't as we have better options to come off the bench i.e. Mick Crocker who ladies and gents is not overrated more underrated by the majority at LU it seems.

[quote="Jordan"I also think Thurston should be there ahead of Prince. Thurston has been playing brilliantly this year. He has been the Cowboy's best player in nearly every game since round 2. He's an instinctive player, and would really take a lot of pressure off Lockyer imo.
His kicking game is great, but what has really surprised me this year is his defence.
I know the selectors have this thing about incumbency... but the fact of the matter is QLD lost last year (and haven't won a series since 2001) and, if there is a better option, a change should be made.[/quote]

Arguably though you can swap Prince and Thurston around in your post and there is the same argument for Prince's inclusion.

IMO Scott Prince will get the nod for 2 reasons:

1. He is the incumbent (which you recognise) and whilst we did lose last year, he was arguably our best player for the series more than matching Gower and Kimmorley at the elite level. Prince stood tall for us and came of age which translated to club form in 2004 and 2005.

and...

2. He (Prince) has been on song this season being one of the more instrumental players in the competition (as has Thurston don't get me wrong there) and will once more thrive in the company of Darren Lockyer, Steve Price and the like.

Isn't it great to finally have 2 very good players vying for the QLD number 7 jersey! It has been a long time for QLD fans....

Be all end all, we can't go wrong with either player though I think for Origin 1 at least, Miles and co. will stick with Prince from 2004. He has been in brilliant form this season and did nothing wrong in 2004.

 

[greenos]

Ash Harrison should feel slapped in the face, what a joke. Jason Smith (granted he's playing well) walks straight in after 4 years in England, while a kid like Harrison gets overlooked after working his ass off here and playing just as well in a losing side. Thorn aswell, should be playing for New Zealand!
This has just about ruled out any hope Souths have of keeping Harrison, sad really that he has to leave to get looked at for rep honours.

Okay I am sick of this whinging that Brad Thorn should be playing for New Zealand. Brad Thorn played for Australia and Queensland before he went to Union. It doesn't matter what country he played for when he was in Union. He is Australian. He has never played for New Zealand in Rugby League.