Softest half of Origin I've ever seen.

[planeteels]

Finchy has really grown on me this year, I never really rated him alot, but with each game he is earning a bit more respect... all he needs to do is get rid of the unfortunate habit of inconsistency that was drilled into him at the roosters as a result of the constant rotation he was forced to endure.

The problems of consistency in position that Finch had where he was always being swapped around, remind me alot of how Luke Burt was treated here at Parra by Smith... and look at both of them now they are getting a bit of regularity with their roles...

Funny that.

 

[Bigfella]

Guru or Best to the wing

Ahem ... are we just letting that go through to the keeper?

 

[Suitman]

Ahem ... are we just letting that go through to the keeper?

I think it would be best.

Suity

 

[Eelementary]

Once upon a time if I watched an origin match and NSW played like that I would have put my foot through the TV. Origin just hasnt got the same appeal to me as it used to. Even though his form isnt fantastic but the blues could have used the strong dummy half running of Grothe. Give me a Parra game anyday.

That's how I feel all the time - couldn't care less about rep footy. My favourite players don't even play rep footy. :crazy:

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

That's how I feel all the time - couldn't care less about rep footy.

That saddens me.

I hang out for every Parra game but I love origin time and when Australia plays.

 

[Eelectrica]

Just want to say I still love Origin. Every year I look forward to it and feel the tension rise as kick off gets closer.

I don't know if the players feel the same or if to them it's just another game of football where it's cool to win because the pay cheque is a bit bigger than the losers cheque.

 

[Haynzy]

Ahem ... are we just letting that go through to the keeper?

Best goes ok on the wing, aren't many other options. Grothe hasn't been totally convincing this year.

(I was stretching to find another half decent winger and it was late....give me a break fellas ;-))



I still love origin and will continue to do so so long as the NRL continues to support it as the pinnacle of our game.

 

[fish eel]

Best goes ok on the wing, aren't many other options. Grothe hasn't been totally convincing this year.

I think you're right about Grothe. Hasnt had his best year but may be the best option.

Of course, their is el masri, who they seem committed NOT to pick, perhaps that kid from Melbourne who has scored a bagful (though it may be to early and he may be a cane toad). Then probably Burty, but geeze.....as good as he has been going, I just dont think he is a SOO player.

After that...a bunch of under performers like Luke Rooney.

 

[Bigfella]

Size is a huge factor in modern Origin.

Our outside backs last year were Grothe Tahu Gasnier King. Their size and pace gave us so much extra go forward we nearly won the series. If we'd had Minicello instead of Hodgson we would have.

Hayne Lyon Cooper King was nowhere near as strong, especially with King on the wing and Lyon in the mix. Size is great; short, fat and gutless is less advantageous.

Also I don't agree with people on this site who have been so critical of Grothe. He is right at the top of stats (in the top 3 for all) in terms of hitups, offloads, average metres, tackle busts for us.

There is some perception he is lazy and error prone. He certainly has some errors in him, but that comes at an acceptable rate considering how much he offers us in attack, and others have made far more errors than him (including Inu, Mateo, Finch and Cordoba) most of whom whose stats don't come near his.

Put it this way ... I wouldn't be swapping him for Colin Best, at Origin or club level.

 

[Stagger eel]

I actually thought Haynzys call for Best to be included as a bloody typo and igonored it...:lol:

 

[emjaycee]

I think the major difference between NSW and QLD in recent times is the thing that drove the concept of Origin in the first place. The underdog/ the battler/the little brother syndrome that QLD has (not just in league).

Despite NSW's claims that the players are passionate and want to win, etc, etc.. it is clear that the average QLD'er plays in SoO above the form they show in the NRL week in week out.

Whether its flair in the backs, mongrel in the forwards or smarts in the halves they outplay NSW across the park. NSW is always seen to be stronger on paper but I have not been confident for the last 3 yrs that we would win each game.

I would like to see a team made up of players that are hungry for it and have the skills...


1. Stewart
2. Hayne
3. Rogers (GK)
4. Luke McDougall
5. Grothe
6. Mullen
7. Kimmorley
8. O'Meley
9. Buderus (c)
10. Ben Cross
11. Watmough
12. Gallen
13. Tongue

14. Riddell
15. Bird
16. Weyman
17. White

Not sure about the eligibility of all of these for NSW however.

 

[Suitman]

Rogers is a dirty Queenslander.

Suity

 

[Stagger eel]

and Raider69 will offer you sex with him for including Tongue in the line up.

 

[emjaycee]

Rogers is a dirty Queenslander.

Suity

Stoopid me - the image of him in a Blue guernsey keeps coming back to me but now i remember - it was a Waratahs one... doh!!:crazy: :crazy:

 

[Suitman]

Stoopid me - the image of him in a Blue guernsey keeps coming back to me but now i remember - it was a Waratahs one... doh!!:crazy: :crazy:

:lol: :lol:

He's played plenty of S.O.O. games already for the pink shirts.

Suity

 

[fish eel]

:lol: :lol:

He's played plenty of S.O.O. games already for the pink shirts.

Suity

He has.

Our did the son of one of NSW' finest end up a cane toad?

 

[Haynzy]

I think you're right about Grothe. Hasnt had his best year but may be the best option.

Of course, their is el masri, who they seem committed NOT to pick, perhaps that kid from Melbourne who has scored a bagful (though it may be to early and he may be a cane toad). Then probably Burty, but geeze.....as good as he has been going, I just dont think he is a SOO player.

After that...a bunch of under performers like Luke Rooney.

I'd love to see Grothe there but I'm not sure if that is my Parra bias or not. Same with Ben Smith. I'd love to see him get a shot but not sure if it is my blue and gold goggles.

I only suggested Best cos he is big and knows his way to the line.....I'd much rather have Grothe than him at any level as well but look at what Mogg did... he was a nuffy that pulled it out in origin.

I agree fishy with Burt not really being up for it and ElMasri too but if they punt Lyon (please, please) they might need him for the kicking.

 

[fish eel]

I'd

I agree fishy with Burt not really being up for it and ElMasri too but if they punt Lyon (please, please) they might need him for the kicking.

Kimmorley can goal kick :lol:

 

[parra-matters]

Who put Weyman in their side?
He would get sent off 1st tackle he made.
Lets Get Fui to play origin that would get NSW moving.

 

[Eelementary]

That saddens me.

I hang out for every Parra game but I love origin time and when Australia plays.

I just don't get into it.