1. Dugan - Young, but should be given a go. May show nerves but if persisted will be a champion of origin in the future.
2. B.Morris - Wasn't given an opportunity in the first game. Defensively was solid.
3. J.Lyon - Not a five eighth. Has been tearing it up at club level in centres - let's keep him there.
4. Tahu/J.Morris - Tahu was very quiet the other night so I'm undecided on him. He can be lethal. Josh Morris could add a bit of spark into the side and could be swapped to be alongside his brother.
5. Burt - He is was NSW is missing. He is a solid player who will not let the team down. He shows determination and persistence in every game he plays. Good goal kicker too.
6. Carney - The X-Factor in the side. Has shown this year how good he can be - in the unnatural position of fullback. He is a dynamic player that puts the opposition in two minds.
7. Kimmorley - To be honest - he did very little wrong in the first game. He suffered due to a lack of five eighth. Kimmorley is the guide in the team - directing the direction of the play. Carney's dynamic nature and unpredictability will suit Kimmorley's style.
8. Weyman - Did nothing to get dropped for.
9. Ennis - See Weyman.
10. Snowden - He is a hard working prop who has lead the way at Cronulla. City-Country shows he puts his body on the line no matter who is playing for. The sort of player you want at Origin - never sits back and always puts 100% in.
11. Hindmarsh - It's a travesty that he is not considered. 80 minute player who tackles his heart out and won't let the man next to him down.
12. Gallen - He is Origin personified. He is aggressive, he pushes hard in attack and defence. This year has seen him stop giving away as many penalties and throwing the ball away with impossible offloads. Don't let the reputation blind you from the reality of his form.
13. Lewis/Bird - This spot can go to either. Whoever isn't lock will fill the utility role on the bench. Both strong players with good hands, and the size and power needed to be in the forwards.
14. Bird/Lewis
15. Kite - Similar role to what he is at Manly. A powerful prop coming from the bench. Damaging to a tiring opposition.
16. Douglas/White/Perry - This is another questionable prop position. Douglas is young but a workhorse in the vein of Snowden. White and Perry didn't show much in Game I - do we give them another chance?
17. Waterhouse/Watmough/Creagh - Pick another backrower. All have strengths and flaws.
My side I've gone for consistency and balance. For every flamboyant player, there is one who guides around the park. The forwards was a very weak point for NSW in Game I and I think this needs to be rectified. By having two 80 minute backrowers (with Gallen also having the ability to push forward into the prop position) you are effectively leaving an additional spot for a front rower. With four front rowers in the rotation - our go forward would be powerful.
Gidley does not deserve to be in the side. He offers little in attack, and little in defence. How he was in the starting side at all was joke, let alone how he was made captain last year. He is a blight and weakness in the team. EVERY PLAYER needs to earn their spot - he hasn't. Nor has Hayne.
