I can't believe you still chose Carney.
All I've heard is a snippet on a news break that he's been suspended indefinitely - which could mean anything from 3 weeks to the rest fo the season.
How long is Soward gone for?
f**k me we'd have quite a complete side if Todd Carey wasn't such a screw up
If you have Soward in your team you don't need a winger for his goal kicking. I would have Dugan as fullback with Hayne on the wing.My thoughts from the games last night:
Out of the fullbacks no one really stood out. I don't think any of them can be judged too harshly at the moment because they are playing in awful teams. I give the nod to Hayne on incumbency. You didn't see QLD drop Thurston in the last few years when North Qld were sucking and his form was meh. Proven origin performer so I keep faith in Hayne.
Out of the wingers Uate was the real stand out, he is in my team. Great kick returns and lightning fast. Gordon was solid and we need his goalkicking. Hoppa is a great talent but is a couple of years away from sky blue. Merritt was decent too but going with the top two.
In the centres I thought the city boys had the better of it before Champion got injured. It was also the best I have seen Jennings play this year and he was my pick prior to the start of the year but quickly turned to shite. He did butcher a try or two last night though. Thompson and Morris were average. IMO though we have to go with Idris and Gasnier.
Out of the 5/8ths Soward is a show-in if fit, unless Carney comes back and plays amazing. Keating was out of his depth a bit IMO.
In the halves I thought Mullen shaded it. Again at the start of the year I would have picked Pearce but Mullen has such a great kicking game and IMO provided the better last tackle options and kicks.
The front rowers that impressed were Galloway, Mannah and Tolman. But the real standout was TLL. Running like he was fired out of a cannon and hitting hard.
The hooking duel was pretty even and it looks as though Farah's injury isn't affecting him too much thank ****. Hinchcliffe was impressive and could be a bolter for the #14 jersey if Gidley is out. Underrated player, didn't realise he could play that well.
In the second row I thought Stewart had a really good game and showed great footwork at the line and was a calming influence on his team. All of the back row played pretty well but none of these players make my team.
At lock I though Heighington was his usual self and Fulton was solid (don't know how a player with his limitations got picked in the first place though). Again neither are in my team.
IMO the only bench player that improved his stock significantly was TLL.
In the Test match I though Morris did OK, good tackle on SKD to take him out but IMO we have better options. Snowden tried hard but had errors and penalties in him. Creagh played well and improved his stock. Idris blew an easy try but the rest of his game was very good, think the Nightingale incident was unfortunate but don't think there was malice. He tried to pull out of it IMO. Gallen - what can be said. If he played for a decent team he would be getting jizzed over 24/7. Played hurt once in origin and played poorly, and got roasted.
So my team is...
1. Hayne
2. Gordon
3. Gasnier (right)
4. Idris (left)
5. Uate
6. Soward
7. Mullen
8. Snowden
9. Farah
10. Tolman
11. Bird
12. Creagh (you better have a go this time)
13. Gallen (c)
14. Gidley (if fit) or Hinchcliffe
15. TLL
16. Watmough (if he pulls his head in)
17. Mannah
Luke Lewis is still in with a chance of a back row spot if he comes in and plays well.
18th man (one of): Hinchliffe/Galloway/G Stewart/Carney/M Minicheillo
This team can beat QLD
**** the nay-sayers!