This continues the discussion from the comments courtesy of Major Turdler (aka The Phil Gould Fan Club) under the post "How do these guys keep their jobs?"...
My first forward picked, were he fit, (and I acknowledge that he won't be ready for game 3), would be Ben Cross. I look back to last year and he was fantastic in the two games he played in. In the game he didn't play, the other forwards in our pack were exposed as sissies, as we had no go-forward and got caned 30-0 accordingly. A Weyman/Cross front row looks a tantalising prospect over the next few years, particularly with the aging QLD front row. Poore in the run on...I guess I just cannot yet forgive the flimsy defence of he and Farah to let Folau score in game 2, as if he brushed off a couple of sheets of A4 paper. I'm going to throw someone else in the mix. He doesn't play for a flash club, and most people probably don't even know who he is, but I like an unsung hero. Particularly one who is in the top 10 in hit ups, metres gained and tackles made. El Masri, just can't have him in Origin circa 2009. If you play Campese, he can kick goals. Monaghan I'd also prefer to see on the wing. I have thought long and hard about the halves. Barrett is 31. The series is over. Wallace didn't work out. I pick Mullen with a view to him being picked for the WHOLE SERIES next year. I think he can become the undisputed NSW halfback if given a whole series. As much as I've tried to talk Mullen out of things in the past, I am now convinced he gives you all the skills required. Particularly when paired with Campese. Lastly, RE: the hooker...I have had a hundred or so QLD supporters that are astounded that we haven't picked Ennis. They hate him. They hate him becauses he's the most annoying fucker in the game and is from NSW. Imagine if he actually played for the Blues, how much they'd hate him. The new Benny Elias perhaps? Here's the team I would select, after kicking the current selectors in the nuts until they finally quit, and with a view to next year:
1. Hayne
2. Josh Morris
3. Jennings
4. Lyon
5. Monaghan
6. Campese
7. Mullen
8. Weyman
9. Ennis
10. Douglas
11. Laffranchi
12. Creagh
13. O'Donnell (C)
14. Gidley
15. Watmough
16. Leahroyd-Lahrs
17. Bailey
O'Donnell has been our rock in the forward pack and has shown that he can lead the troops. Not an ideal captain perhaps, but better than a fullback being captain in Origin when he's generally 50 metres away from what's going on. We've already lost the series, so why the fuck not? Could be a masterstroke. I keep Gidley on the bench because he and Mullen are able to orchestrate attacking raids out wide from inside their own half, which would hopefully give Jennings some space. Hayne obviously needs to be involved more. Monaghan would mark Folau and Morris could take Boyd. Campese plays a lot of dummy half at the Raiders so he/Gidley give Ennis a short breather. Anyway, I reckon it's a pretty well balanced team. Enough to get the hard work done up the guts and plenty of attacking options. Though I'm pretty sure the NSW selectors and Crankypants Bellamy will have their own horrid masterplan for game 3...
8 comments:
Mate agreed with all your options, they are far better looking at the future, with the exception i would still rather have wing there, screw gidley. I would still like to find a slot for galloway, but yes cross fully fit is a far better option starting. Someone shoot kite. please.
And i this is one of my blogging names, was originally major turdler, but i think from memory someone changed it to the phil gould fan club???
Mate agreed with all your options, they are far better looking at the future, with the exception i would still rather have wing there, screw gidley. I would still like to find a slot for galloway, but yes cross fully fit is a far better option starting. Someone shoot kite. please.
And i this is one of my blogging names, was originally major turdler, but i think from memory someone changed it to the phil gould fan club???
Alright, I heard you the first time!
Gidley I keep in, because he and Mullen work really well for Newcastle in spreading out a defensive line, thus creating space for MacDougall, Sau etc. This becomes more tantalising when you're talking Jennings and Lyon. I understand your concerns about the lack of ginger pubes in the Blues line-up. Galloway is solid indeed, especially this season, but the stats tell a story here: Douglas is one of the best and hardest working props in the game. Considering he's only 23 or so, now seems a good time to give him a go with the likes of Weyman (out 6 weeks) and Cross out.
And here we were just thinking that you were in man-love with Gould! Maybe the Professor had something to do with your name change...??? Tis indeed a mystery...
well look there is an element of man love for gus. perhaps i can relate to him. But seriously, best analytical mind in the game... and it would be nice to have a coach that a)can utilise players well, not just rely on a star studded side against dimunitive opposition, and b) that would be really good at antagosing queensland.
well look there is an element of man love for gus. perhaps i can relate to him. But seriously, best analytical mind in the game... and it would be nice to have a coach that a)can utilise players well, not just rely on a star studded side against dimunitive opposition, and b) that would be really good at antagosing queensland.
well look there is an element of man love for gus. perhaps i can relate to him. But seriously, best analytical mind in the game... and it would be nice to have a coach that a)can utilise players well, not just rely on a star studded side against dimunitive opposition, and b) that would be really good at antagosing queensland.
Is there an echo in here?!
Farah on the bench. Apart from that, I like it.
That is all.
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