View Full Version : QLD: 2006 Maroons Selection Thread
Queenslander
14-05-06, 12:19 PM
Big Mal ready to save Maroons
MICHAEL WESTLAKE
The Sunday Mail
14may06
QUEENSLAND was prepared to deliver the biggest State of Origin selection shock in 22 years by picking hulking Cowboys prop Matt Scott out of the Queensland Wizard Cup to play for the Maroons this year.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5153333,00.jpg
DEBUT: Cowboys prop Matt Scott will play in Origin I
Scott, who has been a revelation for the Cowboys this season, will earn his first Queensland jersey when the Maroons team for Origin I is named on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.
But the 20-year-old giant had already been earmarked for the Maroons squad well before he established himself as a regular Cowboys first grader.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga revealed to The Sunday Mail that, when planning for the Origin series began late last year, Scott's name was mentioned heavily because of his efforts with North Queensland's Young Guns.
At the time they were unsure whether Scott would be able to force his way into the Cowboys' top side, with Carl Webb, Mitchell Sargent and Shane Tronc ahead of him in the NRL queue.
But Scott has made an irresistible claim for selection this season.
And Meninga confirmed Scott would have pushed for selection even from the Queensland Cup.
"Naturally, it would have depended on who was available, but I would have no qualms about picking a guy from obscurity if I thought he could get the job done for us," Meninga said. "It has been done before.
"Dave Brown was in reserve grade (with the Roosters) when he played for Queensland in 1984, Alf (Langer) was called back from England.
"Trevor Gillmeister coaches in the Queensland Cup, and he thought there were a few players in that league worth keeping an eye on that could have possibly sneaked through to Origin level," Meninga said.
"After last year's series it seemed to be all doom and gloom about the amount of talent coming through the ranks for Queensland. But all of a sudden guys like Matty have emerged and it is fantastic for us.
"It's funny talking about Dave Brown, because I personally liken Matty Scott to a Dave Brown-type of player.
"I played with Dave for Queensland in the 1980s, and Dave was a real tough bugger who had some skill about him. He was a smart player.
"I see that in Matt. They also tell me that his attitude is fantastic. He seems well suited to Origin.
"He is right in contention. In fact I will say he will be there. I do hope he can impact at that level. The inner-sanctum at the Cowboys think he can.
"Given that and his form, his ability to play back row and front row, and the fact he is a dynamic player with a bit of mongrel in him, it looks like he is ideal for this level."
Meninga laid down the challenge to his first Origin team – saying the players were in the box seat to play the entire series if they could deliver in Origin I.
"I am happy with the way that the players are going," he said. "There are still a few contentious spots for us.
"I think we can pick a really good team with experience and some youth and enthusiasm. I am conscious of getting the right dynamics in the team.
"I know that this team we are about to pick does have a future in it. Touch wood that they all come through game one, this is a team that we can stick by and use for the entire series, hopefully."
In a wide ranging interview, Meninga touched on several key areas.
PRESENT FORM
"One of the most pleasing things is that the players we have been looking most seriously at are coming from the best-performing clubs in the NRL.
"We are going to have quite a few blokes from the Cowboys, Broncos and Storm, and all those teams are in the top five.
"They are a motivated bunch, and they are playing with confidence because they are playing in winning teams. That will help a lot with our preparation."
THE PACK
"Some of them are explosive, some are hardworking, some are tough, some have good skills and good footwork.
"We've got Matty Scott, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Price, Shane Tronc, David Shillington, David Stagg, Carl Webb . . . it's a fair start for any pack."
LOCKYER'S POSITION
"When you are looking at a footy side, you make decisions based on what is best for the team, not what is best for the player.
"If any player is selected to play out of position, they are picked there because we think that is where they can do the best job for Queensland.
"Playing Darren (Lockyer) at fullback would be no different than Andrew Johns playing hooker, or Laurie Daley playing in the centres, or Allan Langer playing hooker for Australia.
"It is no different to those top-line players of the past putting their hands up to do a job for the sake of their state or country."
INEXPERIENCE
"It is not a concern. We have a pretty good blend there with experienced players to help them through.
"You look at a guy like Cameron Smith. He is only 22 years of age, and this will be his fourth Origin series. Locky has done everything in the game, Johnathan Thurston has been there before. The list goes on.
"There is a heap of experience there for us to call on. The number of young guys we've got, I like it. I am really enthusiastic about it all."
Queenslander
14-05-06, 12:22 PM
A new hope
GREG DAVIS
The Sunday Mail
14may06
QUEENSLAND will drop a major selection bombshell tomorrow by naming up to eight rookies for next week's rugby league State of Origin series opener.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5153279,00.jpg
DEBUT: Bronco Sam Thaiday is in line for a maroon jumper
In the biggest overhaul of the Maroons since 2001, when 10 players made their interstate debut in one match, Queensland will blood a new generation of stars to stop NSW claiming an unprecedented fourth straight series win.
Queensland will announce the team for the May 24 clash at Telstra Stadium from "Camp Maroon" at the Hyatt Regency Coolum resort on the Sunshine Coast at 12.30pm tomorrow.
The Sunday Mail has learned the eight Maroons debutantes will be Steve Bell (Manly), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), David Stagg (Brisbane), Dallas Johnson (Melbourne), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Nate Myles (Canterbury), Matt Scott (North Queensland) and possibly Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane).
In other selection news, The Sunday Mail understands:
---- Brisbane fullback Hunt could plummet from Test debutante to Maroons reject in just over a week.
It is believed that Hunt has lost the battle with Cowboys custodian Matt Bowen for the No. 1 jersey but is locked in a neck-and-neck tussle with clubmate Shaun Berrigan for a place on the bench as the utility back.
Berrigan was originally demoted to Brisbane's interchange bench this weekend but his ability to play any position from fullback to hooker could give the former Test centre the edge over the tough and talented Hunt.
----- Darren Lockyer will play five-eighth despite his scorching 30 minutes at fullback for Australia in last Friday's Anzac Test.
Selectors have resisted the strong temptation to shift the Maroons skipper back to his old position and will reprise his combination with Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston in the halves.
With Thurston in the No. 7 jersey, there is no place for West Tigers premiership-winning captain Scott Prince in the Queensland squad.
---- The Maroons will field a vastly new-look forward pack with workhorses Stagg and Johnson in the starting back row alongside Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb.
The untested trio of Thaiday, Myles and Scott will be thrown into the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Origin football from the interchange bench.
---- Backline debutantes Bell and Inglis will play out of position on the wings.
Bell has been in great form in the centres for the Sea Eagles while Inglis has been magnificent for the Storm at centre and fullback.
Selectors feel that Bell will create a potent attacking combination with Justin Hodges on the right side of the field.
---- After only two NRL games, Broncos centre Brent Tate has forced his way into the Maroons squad and will join in-form Brisbane teammate Hodges in the centres. Tate will mark Blues dangerman Mark Gasnier while Hodges will take on Matt Cooper, the man who controversially beat him for a Test jersey.
---- Selectors are flirting with the idea of recalling 14-game veteran Tonie Carroll to fill the enforcer breach created by Mick Crocker's nine-match suspension but Carroll's lack of game time and injury concerns could count against the hard-hitting Broncos lock.
The last time the Maroons performed such a significant overhaul was for the opening match of the 2001 series when coach Wayne Bennett was called in following a disastrous 2000 campaign.
Bennett handed Origin debuts to Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Wagon, John Doyle, John Buttigieg, Petero Civoniceva, Kevin Campion, Chris Walker, Chris Beattie, Carl Webb and Brad Meyers.
Led by Gorden Tallis, Queensland went on to score a 34-16 win in the last match at the old Lang Park.
The stirring victory set up an overall series win for the Maroons who have not tasted an outright series victory since.
Meanwhile, the Blues look likely to go with a halves combination of Craig Gower and Braith Anasta.
NSW was considering English-based Jamie Lyon to don the No.6 jersey but has opted to put its faith in Anasta.
~Wild Child~
14-05-06, 01:11 PM
Excellent post (Q)ueenslander....With those sort of names being thrown about :dizzy:...I can smell victory for QLD...:win: and an easy one at that....:D...NSW must be getting concerned...:cry:
Blunt_Beno
14-05-06, 06:27 PM
aslong as qld keeps tate out of the centres they should dominate out wide IMO.
Dragons
14-05-06, 08:07 PM
Excellent post (Q)ueenslander....With those sort of names being thrown about :dizzy:...I can smell victory for QLD...:win: and an easy one at that....:D...NSW must be getting concerned...:cry:
Never, when was the last time you won a State of Origin wow let me think.......... we won the last three years,so it gunna be four in a row for the mighty Blues. Here's a tissue to wipe those tears hahahaha. Next two Wednesday nights are gunna be huge the big fight and then the SOO. God I love my sport ( well most ) :thumbsup:
Titanium_BD1103
14-05-06, 09:04 PM
Ah Michel-Jennifer.. if only... :laugh:
The Blues will trot out a super strong side... and QLD even with all that fresh blood will have a tough time of it... besides at 6 and 7... the facts say it for themselves ATM and until QLD win a few... I will not change from fact.. :lol!:
Nice thread though... I hope Nate Myles get a call up tomorrow.. he deserves it.. :)
Social Loafer
14-05-06, 09:05 PM
If they are short of forwards on the bench, use Thom learloyd Lahrs, he is yet to play a bad game for us and can cover 2nd row, front row and centre... But then again he plays for Canberra..
Supergoose
14-05-06, 09:28 PM
If they are short of forwards on the bench, use Thom learloyd Lahrs, he is yet to play a bad game for us and can cover 2nd row, front row and centre... But then again he plays for Canberra..
Is Thom a Qlder or NSWmen? I heard a rumor that he was a NSWmen. Big problem for Qld is if they pick too many 30 minute NRL players. 30 minutes in the NRL = about 10 minutes in Origin!
Social Loafer
14-05-06, 09:33 PM
Been plenty of talk about this, he played for Werris Creek and played for NSW U-19's at 17, so it turns out he is elligible for NSW, but there is talk about him being released..
There was a story written over a year ago in the smh. you can read it here
http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=107986&mforum=raiders2005#107986
edit- heres the article
Move to clear Learoyd-Lahrs for Origin
February 7, 2005 - 5:14PM
Queensland rugby league officials have moved to clear the decks for teenage Broncos giant Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to play Origin for the Maroons.
A former schoolboy athletics champion whose training times put him alongside some of the Bronco backs, his physique has already been compared to Bulldog destroyer, Sonny Bill Williams.
NSW could lay claim to the 192cm, 111kg back-rower - a former Australian schoolboy star - who trimmed seven kilos during the off-season.
But Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore says the Australian Rugby League board has already been put on notice that Learoyd-Lahrs wants to play for Queensland.
"I've raised it with them (ARL) and there's been no great objection to it," said Livermore.
"They (NSW) could claim him, but what's the good of them arguing when they've got four billion players to choose from."
Learoyd-Lahrs, who has spoken to his coach Wayne Bennett about Origin, said he'd be very keen to play for Queensland if the opportunity ever came along.
"If I ever got that call, I'd jump over the moon."
"It's probably a long way down the track, if ever, but people have said I should declare my hand and let them know which way I'm headed."
Learoyd-Lahrs, 19, played his junior football at Werris Creek in NSW and represented NSW under 19s when he was just 17.
His mother, Theresa, trained racehorses on the Gold Coast while his father, Michael Lahrs, lives at Ingham in north Queensland.
"I was born over the border but I played a lot of football up here and down south and my first senior game was with the Toowoomba Clydesdales," said Learoyd-Lahrs.
Origin eligibility has been challenged many times.
It still mystifies some Queenslanders how NSW procured brilliant Bundaberg-born winger Ken Nagas who played one game south of the border.
Queensland successfully argued to have Papua New Guinea-born Adrian Lam declared a Queenslander when desperately needing a halfback in the 1990s.
And Craig Polla Mounter was declared a cane toad before the Canterbury half turned his back to stay with the ****roaches.
Billy Moore, the man who gave birth to the "Queenslander" war cry, was from Tenterfield, just south of the border, yet played for the Maroons.
A lower back injury has complicated Learoyd-Lahrs chances of being ready for Brisbane's season opening blockbuster against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on March 13.
He's been told to back-off contact training and allow the disc-related injury to settle.
"I'd just trimmed down to 109kg on mum's steamed veggies and was feeling fit and fast over the ground before I got the back spasms before Christmas," he said.
"I have to let it settle down but I'm pretty confident I can get back for the first game."
www.smh.com.au
~Wild Child~
15-05-06, 12:40 AM
Never, when was the last time you won a State of Origin wow let me think.......... we won the last three years,so it na be four in a row for the mighty Blues. Here's a tissue to wipe those tears hahahaha. Next two Wednesday nights are na be huge the big fight and then the SOO. God I love my sport ( well most ) :thumbsup:Hi Dragons...I never say never...Never will one tissue be enough to wipe away all my tears of joy...that's after QLD :win: games one, two and three...... I will probably need a whole box of tissues...when they :win: so easily...NSW I think will just be drowning in tears of sorrow,at such a devestating loss, or three...:;)
~Wild Child~
15-05-06, 01:10 AM
Ah Michel-Jennifer.. if only... :laugh:
The Blues will trot out a super strong side... and QLD even with all that fresh will have a tough time of it... besides at 6 and 7... the facts say it for themselves ATM and until QLD win a few... I will not change from fact.. :lol!:
Nice thread though... I hope Nate Myles get a call up tomorrow.. he deserves it.. :)Bulldog_Titan311
The QLDers will run out an extra super strong side :box:...and NSW with all that old(b)lood , :dead: will have a really tough time of it double :dead:...QLD 6 and 7...Love it:purdy:...the facts do speak:yell:...and they tell me about the past...not the future...Qld will win more than a few...and only the future will write new facts... all about QLD... And then you can change along with the facts...:rotflmao: :dizzy: :rotflmao: :dizzy:
shavenjas
15-05-06, 07:07 AM
If they are short of forwards on the bench, use Thom learloyd Lahrs, he is yet to play a bad game for us and can cover 2nd row, front row and centre... But then again he plays for Canberra..
All i have been hearing about from NSW is how QLD may be short of forwards, don't worry we will have an awsome pack, i think NSW should be more worried about there halfs how weak are they going to be in that department, QLD 3-0 easy this year, NSW have NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!.
~Wild Child~
15-05-06, 08:32 AM
All i have been hearing about from NSW is how QLD may be short of forwards, don't worry we will have an awsome pack, i think NSW should be more worried about there halfs how weak are they going to be in that department, QLD 3-0 easy this year, NSW have NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!.Shav New South Wales have nothing????- NSW has alot of things (1).Huge egos :ok: (2).Lots of new lessons to learn about QLD,(taught by QLDers):!:..etc etc. But most of all they shall have(3). the QLD flag flying high on a particular bridge..:laugh:right in the heart of NSW territory.:satan: One thing they definately will have is a new respect for QLDers...that's when and if they ever stop :') Is it just coincidence that this guy :') is blue ?
My team; Hunt, Inglis, Bell, Hodges, Tate, Lockyer, Thurston, Price, Smith, Civoniceva, Stagg, Webb, Johnston Res. M. Bowen, Scott, S. Thaiday, Tronc
I have been pushing the barrow of Matt Bowen all year though the high ball problem is rearing it's head again and I think he would be found out by NSW over a three game series. Greg Inglis was superb and has been superb since coming in to the Storm side as fullback over the past 5 weeks, in saying that, Hunt's solid Test performance and combo with Lockyer I think will get him a start. Hunt is not a winger and Bowen offers more impact from the bench.
__________________
Queenslander
15-05-06, 09:17 AM
Lockyer's so pivotal
Steve Ricketts
The Courier Mail
May 15, 2006
MONTHS of speculation about where captain Darren Lockyer will play in the Queensland State of Origin team should be buried today when the Broncos star is named at five-eighth.
The team will be announced on the Sunshine Coast today but it was selected at QRL headquarters last night and strong indications were Lockyer had been retained at five-eighth even though new coach Mal Meninga's preference was to move him to fullback.
Lockyer agreed at the weekend that Meninga would have his own ideas about how to turn things around after three Origin series losses in a row but said he hoped to remain at five-eighth for the opening match of the series against NSW in Sydney on May 24.
Meninga is believed to have softened his stance on the retention of Lockyer in the halves after the Kangaroo skipper's impressive recent form for the Broncos and Australia.
Last night's selection meeting lasted about an hour and was described by Meninga as "amicable".
He did not indicate where Lockyer would be selected but said he was playing "fantastic football" and would do a great job.
It is believed up to seven Broncos – Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Petero Civoniceva, David Stagg, Brent Tate, Sam Thaiday and Karmichael Hunt – will be the in 17 which will also include four Cowboys, Matt Bowen, Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Matt Scott.
After Brisbane's 32-10 win over Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett spoke in glowing terms of Lockyer's displays at five-eighth.
"He's in wonderful form and I believe he's playing some of the finest football of his career," Bennett said.
"His leadership and captaincy have come on in leaps and bounds. He's leading by example and his attitude is refreshing."
Lockyer was subjected to widespread criticism after his display in the Broncos' 36-4 loss to the Cowboys in round 1 but even before that match Meninga had pencilled in Thurston and Scott Prince (Tigers) as his halves.
Since then Lockyer's form has improved every week and with Broncos teammate Karmichael Hunt selected at fullback for Australia it comes down to a choice between Hunt and Bowen for the Queensland custodian's job.
To complicate matters, Melbourne Storm's Greg Inglis has been in great touch at fullback following the suspension of fellow Queenslander Billy Slater, and 19-year-old Inglis will be in the Queensland squad.
NSW could be thrown into turmoil this morning with injury concerns ready to push Test centre pairing Matt Cooper and Mark Gasnier out of the opening match.
Gasnier (hip) is in grave doubt because he will not be able to train fully until next Monday – two days before the Origin series opener at Telstra Stadium.
His St George Illawarra centres partner Cooper (hamstring) will not be able to run freely until at least Friday.
Likely team
State of Origin I. Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Wednesday, May 24
QUEENSLAND:
M Bowen,
B Tate,
J Hodges,
S Bell,
G Inglis,
D Lockyer (c),
J Thurston,
P Civoniceva,
C Smith,
S Price,
D Stagg,
C Webb,
D Johnson.
Interchange: D Shillington, M Scott, S Thaiday, K Hunt.
Swap Bowen and Hunt there and I am happy - Karmichael should start as Bowen will offer more from the bench impact wise if they are going to go this way.
Bombs away on May 24, 2006...being a BIG Bowen fan I hope he performs strong, though let's just say after some dubious attempts in recent weeks (not as apparent at the start of the year) I am on the edge of my seat when the bomb is hoisted high.
My understanding from a Storm perspective that Cam Smith,Greg Inglis & Dallas Johnson are already on the way to Brisbane.Apparently they flew out around 9am.
Titanium_BD1103
15-05-06, 10:48 AM
Bulldog_Titan311
The QLDers will run out an extra super strong side :box:...and NSW with all that old(b)lood , :dead: will have a really tough time of it double :dead:...QLD 6 and 7...Love it:purdy:...the facts do speak:yell:...and they tell me about the past...not the future...Qld will win more than a few...and only the future will write new facts... all about QLD... And then you can change along with the facts...:rotflmao: :dizzy: :rotflmao: :dizzy:
Oh I love it.. State of Origin does great things to people... crazy as you have become... :dizzy: :dizzy:
Lets look at it... we have the forwards of the Australian side all playing for NSW
O'Meley, Mason, Ryan, O'Donnell, Menzies, Hindmarsh
QLD Have....
Civenoceva.. :laugh:
You are going to win through 6 and 7... but even then our forwards will outmuscle yours... its going to be a good battle, but don't think you will win easy... otherwise you may be in for a nasty surprise... :lol!: :lol!:
DIEHARD
15-05-06, 12:10 PM
Well I love the Maroons team. :thumbsup:
Inglis, Webb, Bowen and no Hunt.
How about Tate's effort to get in.
Queenslander
15-05-06, 02:00 PM
So here is the team for Game One:
Go Queensland!!!
1. Matt BOWEN North Queensland Cowboys
2. Greg INGLIS Melbourne Storm
3. Justin HODGES Brisbane Broncos
4. Brent TATE Brisbane Broncos
5. Steven BELL Manly Sea Eagles
6. Darren LOCKYER (c) Brisbane Broncos
7. Johnathan THURSTON North Queensland Cowboys
8. Steven PRICE New Zealand Warriors
9. Cameron SMITH Melbourne Storm
10. Petero CIVONICEVA Brisbane Broncos
11. David STAGG Brisbane Broncos
12. Matthew SCOTT North Queensland Cowboys
13. Dallas JOHNSON Melbourne Storm
14. Shaun BERRIGAN Brisbane Broncos
15. Carl WEBB North Queensland Cowboys
16. Sam THAIDAY Brisbane Broncos
17. Nate MYLES Bulldogs
i still cant get why Tate is in the centres over Bell. swap them around cause Tate is just as good on the wing and Bell is a specialist Centre
Steelers
15-05-06, 04:01 PM
Fairly happy with the side... I think these young blokes will step up and will be what get us over the line.
i still cant get why Tate is in the centres over Bell. swap them around cause Tate is just as good on the wing and Bell is a specialist Centre
Fully agree
qld power
15-05-06, 04:36 PM
crosses fingers go qld
Dragons
15-05-06, 04:40 PM
Four in a row....four in a row......four in a row .......four in a row......Queenslanders have nothing...nothing......nothing......nothing.
shavenjas
15-05-06, 05:41 PM
I don't know how Berrigan got in, thats got me confused, but it should still be an easy 3-0 victory to QLD, it would have to be the worst NSW side i have ever seen named, and i love it!!!!!!!
QUEENSLANDER :win:
Dragons
15-05-06, 05:59 PM
I don't know how Berrigan got in, thats got me confused, but it should still be an easy 3-0 victory to QLD, it would have to be the worst NSW side i have ever seen named, and i love it!!!!!!!
QUEENSLANDER :win:
You think NSW picked it worst team, but we gunna kick some toads butt. bring it on dude. four in a row yeeha
You think NSW picked it worst team, but we gunna kick some toads butt. bring it on dude. four in a row yeeha
No way! You wish you **** roach.
J-Storm
15-05-06, 08:28 PM
Very impressed with the forward pack that Qld have chosen. Happy with the quality of the backs as well tho' i wouldn't have picked Tate or Berrigan, but i'll have faith in Big Mal n' his selectors for now...
I think the best selection was Steve Bell by a mile though, about time the guy got some credit for his efforts week in, week out and same with Dallas Johnson...
The only guy i feel sorry for is Rhys Wesser, i felt he could have got a gig at the back 1st up but no doubt Matt Bowen will be electric back there n' chiing in when needed...
Dragons
15-05-06, 08:29 PM
No way! You wish you **** roach.
Proud to be a ****roach :win: we can live through a nuclear bomb. We just need a five iron to smash a canetoad.
I missed one glaring fact after skimming over the QLD team - STEVE BELL IS ON THE WING AND BRENT TATE IS IN THE CENTRES!!!!!!!! Why?
Steve Bell has been one of the form centres in the competition and Brent Tate has rep credentials on the wing, most recently for Australia where he was sensational.
This is a joke, possibly an error? I can only hope so, Bell must be in the centres.
Supergoose
15-05-06, 10:00 PM
I missed one glaring fact after skimming over the QLD team - STEVE BELL IS ON THE WING AND BRENT TATE IS IN THE CENTRES!!!!!!!! Why?
Steve Bell has been one of the form centres in the competition and Brent Tate has rep credentials on the wing, most recently for Australia where he was sensational.
This is a joke, possibly an error? I can only hope so, Bell must be in the centres.
Yep, reckon you're right DeeGan - Bell will be a passenger if Tate is inside him - he doens't know how to pass or set up a winger (unlike Bell who is a genius at it). Bell's biggest contribution on the wing could be to diffuse the plethora of bombs sent in his direction as I'm not sure of the last time he actually played on the wing!
Steelers
15-05-06, 10:00 PM
I just hope they see their mistake and swap them around.
Dragons
15-05-06, 10:03 PM
I missed one glaring fact after skimming over the QLD team - STEVE BELL IS ON THE WING AND BRENT TATE IS IN THE CENTRES!!!!!!!! Why?
Steve Bell has been one of the form centres in the competition and Brent Tate has rep credentials on the wing, most recently for Australia where he was sensational.
This is a joke, possibly an error? I can only hope so, Bell must be in the centres.
Yeah I agree, but why do they have to play people out of position anyway?
Supergoose
15-05-06, 10:04 PM
Yeah I agree, but why do they have to play people out of position anyway?
because Qld don't have any wingers playing good enough to be considered!
Steelers
15-05-06, 10:04 PM
Yeah I agree, but why do they have to play people out of position anyway?
To get the best 17 out on the field. I am 50/50 on the issue TBH. (Not the Tate/Bell issue, but playing peeps out of position)
Dragons
15-05-06, 10:19 PM
because Qld don't have any wingers playing good enough to be considered!
What about Tonga, ok he been on suspension but he been there before.
Supergoose
15-05-06, 10:22 PM
What about Tonga, ok he been on suspension but he been there before.
He's not really a winger either - but I would've had him there before Tate. I'd say he would've made it too if he hadn't been suspended. I am sure they will work out that Tate has to play on the wing during the training sessions. Were there no selectors at the Broncos-Manly game. In the first 20 minutes I'm sure I saw Bell go straight past Tate on at least 3 occasions!
What the hell has Scott Prince got to do to get on the bench at least??? This is the bloke who's been persecuted for a screw up a few years ago. The more options QLD have got to confuse NSW, the better. Imagine 5th tackle kicking options, does the ball go to Bowen, Lockyer, Thurston, Prince or Smith???
I don't think Scott Prince (or Carl Webb for that matter) are anywhere near the form of 2005 and honestly, Carl can consider himself lucky to be in the 17 ahead of Sam Thaiday who has started the season brilliantly.
Scott Prince I would of initially had in my 17 on the bench, he can cover three roles and he might of been the guy to come on and add spark to the side, though apart from a two or three games in 2006, he has not really done much at all with the Tigers. His best games have coincided with one Benji Marshall being in the squad, even his coach Tim Sheens was telling us he has a lot to improve a few weeks back as he hasn't find his feet since the 'will he, won't he' Titans signing was done.
But as has been done before, it may have been the lift he needs to get back to his best, Origin does bring out the best (and worst) in players.
But as has been done before, it may have been the lift he needs to get back to his best, Origin does bring out the best (and worst) in players.
True, though are QLD in a position to make that gamble on two or three players from the bench? I am talking about Webb, Berrigan and your inclusion of Prince...not for mine. I think the selectors are gambling on what your suggesting with Webb and to an extent Berrigan who is coming back to form with Brisbane after a quiet start to the season.
Supergoose
18-05-06, 08:19 PM
I don't think Scott Prince (or Carl Webb for that matter) are anywhere near the form of 2005 and honestly, Carl can consider himself lucky to be in the 17 ahead of Sam Thaiday who has started the season brilliantly.
Scott Prince I would of initially had in my 17 on the bench, he can cover three roles and he might of been the guy to come on and add spark to the side, though apart from a two or three games in 2006, he has not really done much at all with the Tigers. His best games have coincided with one Benji Marshall being in the squad, even his coach Tim Sheens was telling us he has a lot to improve a few weeks back as he hasn't find his feet since the 'will he, won't he' Titans signing was done.
I thought Slammin Sam Thaiday was in the 17! Agree with you re: Carl Webb, he's there on reputation. I hope he has a big game but Shane Tronc has been better than Webb this season and so has Corey Parker for that matter. Corey has been better than Stagg, Myles and Thaiday as well and was probably the 2nd unluckiest non-selection behind Hunt.
My error - I thought I amended the Thaiday post.
Cheers
[BroncosGirl]
18-05-06, 09:46 PM
I thought Slammin Sam Thaiday was in the 17! Agree with you re: Carl Webb, he's there on reputation. I hope he has a big game but Shane Tronc has been better than Webb this season and so has Corey Parker for that matter. Corey has been better than Stagg, Myles and Thaiday as well and was probably the 2nd unluckiest non-selection behind Hunt.
Corey Has been very good, true. But thing is, if Corey was picked, he'd most likely come off the bench, and thats not his best position. Hes more an 80min player, thats where he's been playing his best footy for the Broncos.
I am sorry, Corey Parker is not an Origin footballer IMO. Good, possibly very good grade footballer - potentially will be a regular Origin footballer, though I would not have him in my QLD side for 2006. Much better players to pick from for mine.
I thought Slammin Sam Thaiday was in the 17! Agree with you re: Carl Webb, he's there on reputation. I hope he has a big game but Shane Tronc has been better than Webb this season and so has Corey Parker for that matter. Corey has been better than Stagg, Myles and Thaiday as well and was probably the 2nd unluckiest non-selection behind Hunt.
Carl is there because of his passion and the fact that he rises to the match. he is alot better for SOO than Tronc because Carl also plays 2nd row.
shavenjas
19-05-06, 08:50 AM
Only 2 selections im not happy with and thats Berrigan & Stagg (oh and they are both Broncos) Berrigan has been shocking and i said in another post has not even been playing up to 1st grade standard, and Stagg has played not as good as last season, i agree i would pick Parker before Stagg.
HodgoBerro
19-05-06, 09:04 AM
don't forget guys that Slater has 1 week left on his suspension.
IMO he'll then be put at fullback
Bowen on bench as utility
Berro will go
Billy Slater is going to struggle to get his fullback position at Melbourne let alone Queensland in 2006 - IF we win, we won't change a winning team, if Bowen struggles under the high ball, I think we will see Inglis back to fullback with Slater to the wing. Berrigan might ride out the series though I would be keeping an eye on the form of Payne and Prince for the bench spot.
The other option is bringing in Australian fullback Karmichael Hunt in HB's scenario instead of Slater.
from SMH
Queensland selectors won't draw a line through Matt Bowen's name because of one off night. The Cowboys fullback was snubbed for the Test largely due to a shaky game against the Roosters last Saturday but Maroons selector Alan Smith said that game would not scare the selectors off. "He had an off game but I rate him fairly highly," Smith said. "His poor game is another player's good game. It comes down to what the rest of the team looks like as well." Smith's comments add weight to the theory that Karmichael Hunt, selected at fullback for the Australians tonight, is not over the line to grab the Queensland No.1 jumper.
HodgoBerro
19-05-06, 11:33 AM
Billy Slater is going to struggle to get his fullback position at Melbourne let alone Queensland in 2006 - IF we win, we won't change a winning team, if Bowen struggles under the high ball, I think we will see Inglis back to fullback with Slater to the wing. Berrigan might ride out the series though I would be keeping an eye on the form of Payne and Prince for the bench spot.
The other option is bringing in Australian fullback Karmichael Hunt in HB's scenario instead of Slater.
i sorta did toy around with the option of Hunt coming into the side.
I didn't think of prince or payne for that matter on who might get a bench spot but in admittance berro is out of form and was very fortunate to get into the side on kudos i guess.
I think Bowen will struggle, if thats the case i know he'll go back onto the bench as a utility with either inglis, hunt or slater taking fullback.
just thoguht i would say
y would u put bell in centers and put tate on the wing
his going up vs the best center in the game and has played no footy at all
and he would be use to the wing more then bell as he played there with brisbane a few times
Supergoose
19-05-06, 06:44 PM
I am sorry, Corey Parker is not an Origin footballer IMO. Good, possibly very good grade footballer - potentially will be a regular Origin footballer, though I would not have him in my QLD side for 2006. Much better players to pick from for mine.
He is a very good grade player and with all of the injuries to potential SOO players I would've thought a very good grade player a suitable replacement. I still think he's better than Stagg and deserved a shot. I'll concur with the statement about Carl Webb and hope he has a corker. I reckon Qld has excellent fire power off the bench, I just hope they have some Origin stamina as well. Berrigan isn't playing as bad as some suggest, I reckon he'll be a revelation at hooker.
He is a very good grade player and with all of the injuries to potential SOO players I would've thought a very good grade player a suitable replacement. I still think he's better than Stagg and deserved a shot. I'll concur with the statement about Carl Webb and hope he has a corker. I reckon Qld has excellent fire power off the bench, I just hope they have some Origin stamina as well. Berrigan isn't playing as bad as some suggest, I reckon he'll be a revelation at hooker.
I take your point (well made) though Parker IMO only is not an Origin forward AT THE MOMENT, this is my opinion. He has improved this season admittedly though I have Stagg, Thaiday and an out of sorts Webb ahead of him. The selection of Stagg is a courageous one that will turn out to be the correct one. Stagg is a workhorse despite his size and will top our tackle count or be thereabouts with Cameron Smith. He will thrive in this environment.
I said earlier that Berrigan is likely to ride out the series on the bench, I have also said he is perhaps best suited as a bench player...he is the likely .all man though if we fail at Telstral
Same as the one we had before but who would you Remove and puit in your team for game 2
My QLD Team wouldn't look Much Defferent
1) Lockyer (more imact from this position)
2) Inglis (retained his spot)
3) Bell (needs to be in his right position)
4) Berrigan (with Hodges out he is the next best to replace him)
5) Tonga (either im having a blank or QLD have no Quality wingers to pick from ATM) edit (Slater might slot in here if fit and going well)
6) Thurston (with Locky moving He goes to his favoured position)
7) Prince (adds a bit more organized attack)
8) Civinoceva (retained his spot)
9) Smith (retained his spot)
10) Price (retained his spot)
11) Chris Flannery (we need experiance in this position ATM)
12) Stagg ( didn't go that bad but has to improve)
13) Carroll (as much as i hate to do it i have to have him they. he has that hard running style thats needed)
14) Bowen (impact player, drops to bench to make way for locky at FB)
15) S Thiaday (needs more time on the field)
16) Scott (went alright but needs to perfom better to be SOO player)
17) Webb (really has to perform other wize will be chucked right out)
Players missing out
Hodges (injured)
Tate (went really bad)
Johnson (very unlucky top miss out in my team. i might swap him with Stagg)
Myles (Missed out because he isn't SOO quality. few more years and if he keeps on imroving then he might be their)
Queenslander
27-05-06, 09:02 AM
Queensland: Game Two Selections
Personally I found that the game one team was very good however they could have been organised better i.e. interchange and time on field
One change that will have to happen is Bell into the centres replacing Hodges (Ideally Bell would replace Tate however Hodges gap needs to be filled) And Slater will fit on the wing.
Queensland Maroons:
1. Matt BOWEN (North Queensland Cowboys) (Slater and Bowen will swap during the game at different times.)
2. Greg INGLIS (Melbourne Storm)
3. Brent TATE (Brisbane Broncos)
4. Steven BELL (Manly Sea Eagles)
5. Billy SLATER (Melbourne Storm)
6. Darren LOCKYER (C) (Brisbane Broncos)
7. Johnathan THURSTON (GK) (North Queensland Cowboys)
8. Steven PRICE (New Zealand Warriors)
9. Cameron SMITH (Melbourne Storm)
10. Petero CIVONICEVA (Brisbane Broncos)
11. David STAGG (Brisbane Broncos)
12. Matthew SCOTT (North Queensland Cowboys)
13. Dallas JOHNSON (Melbourne Storm)
Interchange:
14. Shaun BERRIGAN (Brisbane Broncos)
15. Carl WEBB (North Queensland Cowboys)
16. Sam THAIDAY (Brisbane Broncos)
17. Nate MYLES (Bulldogs)
Myles not SOO quality?
He was on of the few QLD forwards that looked like intimidating at all.
1.Lockyer
2.Slater (If back and playing - If not Hunt)
3.Inglis
4.Bell
5.Tate (If fit - Always plays well on the wing - If injured Hunt)
6.Thurston
7.Prince
8.Petero
9.Smith
10.Price
11.Shillington (Debut - Been going well for the Roosters)
12.Johnson
13.Carroll. (Some much needed Mongrel in Defence)
14.Bowen
15.Webb
16.Thaiday
17.Myles
Titanium_BD1103
27-05-06, 09:47 AM
Yep I have to agree with Dakink there... Myles was one of the few who showed Origin quality.... but If I had to pick a QLD side... here would be mine.. :)
1.Darren Lockyer (Yes he plays better at Fullback)
2.Milton Thaiday (Yes I know...another roughy... but he has speed and is tough)
3.Greg Inglis
4.Steven Bell
5.Karmichael Hunt
6.Johnathan Thurston
7.Scott Prince
8.Petero Civoniceva
9.Cameron Smith
10.Steven Price
11.David Shillington (Been going well for the Roosters)
12.Dallas Johnson
13.Tonie Carroll (Some much needed experience)
14.Matt Bowen
15.Carl Webb
16.Sam Thaiday
17.Nate Myles
~Wild Child~
27-05-06, 10:05 AM
Yeah also agree with Dakink...Would love to see Hunt in the line up if Tate or Slater are not up for selection.
I predict that the Queensland side will look something like this:
1) Karmichael Hunt
2) Greg Inglis
3) Steven Bell
4) Justin Hodges
5) Brent Tate
6) Darren Lockyer
7) Johnathan Thurstum
8) Steven Price
9) Cameron Smith
10) carl Webb
11) Petero Civoniceva
12) David Stagg
13) Tonie Carrol
Interchange:
14) Mathew Bowen
15) Ashley Harrison
16) Nate Myles
17) Sam Thaiday
Flanker/5-8
27-05-06, 04:48 PM
What I'd like to see is...
1. Bowen
2. Wesser
3. Inglis
4. Bell
5. Tate - but Slater if fit
6. Lockyer
7. Thurston
8. Price
9. Smith
10. Civoniceva
11. Tronc/Leahroyd-Lars
12. Scott
13. Carroll
14. Berrigan
15. Webb
16. Thaiday
17. Myles
Personally I think Tate was underdone for Origin 1 - I don't know why they didn't put Bell in the centres and bring Wesser onto the wing, or atleast put Tate and Bell in their natural positions.
Our forwards looked tiny compared to NSW - Stagg and Johnson, although they're great club players - couldn't match the mongrel of Mason, Hindmarsh and Andrew Ryan, so I've brought Carroll and Tronc into the side. Maybe chuck the Raiders' Leahroyd-Lars in the mix. Miles played well, and Thaiday too when he got the hang of it.
Webb really needs to lift his game for Origin 2, or he'll be dropped for sure. When he comes off the bench, he needs to make an immediate impact, which he didn't do on Wednesday night.
Social Loafer
27-05-06, 04:57 PM
QLD need some Schifcofske Leadership and guidance at the back :D
*Never going to happen
Locky (here or not at all)
Slater
Inglis
Bell
Tonga
THURSTON
Prince
Petero
DOYLE
Webb
Crocker
Rod Jensen
Bowen
Charlie Tonga
Shillington
Myles
[BroncosGirl]
28-05-06, 09:17 AM
My QLd team:
Hunt
Slater (if playing)
Hodges (if fit, which I think he will be ;))
Bell
Inglis (if Hodges isnt, put Inglis in centres, and Tate on wing)
Locky
Thurston
Price
Smith
Civo
Shillington
Parker
Carroll
Berrigan
Myles
Thaiday
... and I dunno
Imo. Hunt provides more then Bowen, and is great under high ball. PLUS he links up with Locky oh so well, which will give Locky more attacking options to take pressure off him. Hunt can also take control himself.
Hodges, Im hoping wont' be injured, apparently his training is going well, and could squeeze in just in time. If not Bell and Inglis would go alright in centres. Tate was not ready for first Origin, but I think is getting back into form, and can do the job on the wing.
Locky, Locky, Locky, well, well ,well :p! WithHunt andThurston there, they will step up and take pressure off him like Hunt and Perry did last night with Broncos. Locky had a superb game at 5/8. PLUS Parker and Civo last night (and the forwards in general) gave him room, so with Parker and Civo, then the likes of Shillington, Price and Carroll, I think these arethe guys to create more room for LOcky. Parker is one ofthose forwards also who isnt afraid to pass the ball around, ditto Carroll.
So if QLD, dont' play crappy hitup, hit up, pass to Locky, like the BRoncos use to. They are in for a chance. They need to pass the ball around more.
Also Berrigan, he can slot in anywehre pretty much, had a good game Wednesday, a fantastic one last night, he moved between centre, and sometimes hooker, he had some really godo dummy half runs, and was great in defense.
qld power
28-05-06, 10:11 AM
karimichael has to be given crack after last nites performance think thats a great team u got there broncos i hope hodges and slater are ready to go for number 2
~Wild Child~
28-05-06, 10:22 AM
karimichael has to be given after last nites performance think thats a great team u got there broncos i hope hodges and slater are ready to go for number 2 I would really like to see KH in the line up for QLD...I can't see how he could be overlooked after the classy performances he has been delivering of late...He really is an impact player..especially in a combination with Locky.GO KARMICHAEL! :purdy:
1. Lockyer
2. Inglis
3. Bell
4. Hodges
5. Tate
6. Thurston
7. Prince
There's our back line...that's the easy part.
Anyone still trying to put Lockyer in at 5/8 doesn't understand how important a good defensive line is...or blinks every time Lockyer tries to make a tackle.
Steve Price is not Origin standard.
People are talking about Shillington...he should be considered in front of Price.
I'd have Harrison at Lock...Johnson had his chance
Reserves- Webb, Bowen
Our biggest problem is our second rowers.
Stagg wasn't up to Origin standard
I thought Thaiday and Myles went well but should they still come of the bench?
Main question
Who should start in the second row?
[BroncosGirl]
28-05-06, 12:44 PM
I'd like to see Thaiday start, yes, but he doesn't even start for the Broncos. Is that wise? Plus he would make good impact when the rest of our forwards get tired, its just he needs more game time.
As for the Lockyer thing, you want Locky to be our last line of defense, yet you say hes crap at tackling :p mkay, im failing to see your reasoning but alright. The meain reason IF he should be moved back is attack, to see him roam around there, and take second key to Thursotn and Prince (who i guess would come in), and occasionally take control. BUT his defense won't be any better, he'll be exactly like Bowen, he'll get steamrolled by the bigger men, because his front on, one on one tackling sucks!
']
As for the Lockyer thing, you want Locky to be our last line of defense, yet you say hes crap at tackling :p mkay, im failing to see your reasoning but alright. !
Lockyer is a good defender when allowed to use is pace but with a defender running straight at him, he is no good.
locky was the Best defender when he was tackling at FB. if you remember a SOO a few years ago when he got Mick Devere. its a totally different style of defence when you in the front line.
[BroncosGirl]
28-05-06, 12:57 PM
It may be a different style, but you still have to be able to tackle there, and pushing back there when he hasn't defended there in a while, might not be the best thing. Especially when he is just improving on his defence at 5/8.
yea tahts what I meant Chaos, his one on one is dreadful, which is no good at fullback, considereing if NSW made a line break , they're pretty much guarenteed a try. I admit hes getting bettr at it with more confidence, buttahts at club level, when he knows he has players around him.
']yea tahts what I meant Chaos, his one on one is dreadful,
I actually think Lockyer's one on one defence is good when he has room to use the momentum of his pace...not standing flat footed waiting in the front line.
on 2nd rowers. Tom Learoyd Lars, Tonnie Carroll, Corie Parker and Ben Hannant would be in the running on my list. Chris Flannery will be back aswell
[BroncosGirl]
28-05-06, 01:04 PM
on 2nd rowers. Tom Learoyd Lars, Tonnie Carroll, Corie Parker and Ben Hannant would be in the running on my list. Chris Flannery will be back aswell
Yea Corey Parker is a must for me, if hes there he HAS to start though.
on 2nd rowers. Tom Learoyd Lars, Tonnie Carroll, Corie Parker and Ben Hannant would be in the running on my list. Chris Flannery will be back aswell
I'm not a fan of Parker and Flannery at Origin level.
I haven't seen much of Tom Learoyd Lars but Carroll can play solid in defence.
1. Hunt
2. Inglis
3. Bell
4. Berrigan
5. Slater (if slater is out then Tate)
6. Lockyer
7. Thurston
8. Petro
9. Smith
10. Price
11. Webb
12. Parker
13. Stagg
14. Bowen
15. Johnson
16. Thaiday
17. Myles
^ This is assuming Hodges will miss the match....
My QLD team would be
1. Darren Lockyer
2. Greg Inglis
3. Steve Bell
4. Karmichael Hunt
5. Billy Slater
6. Johnathon Thurston
7. Scott Prince
8. Shane Tronc
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. David Stagg
12. Carl Webb
13. Ashley Harrison
14. Matthew Scott
15. Dallas Johnson
16. Steve Price
17. Matt Bowen
My NSW team would be
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Matt King
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Matt Cooper
5. Eric Grothe jnr/Timana Tahu
6. Braith Anasta
7. Brett Finch
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Luke O'Donnell
13. Steve Menzies
14. Steve Simpson
15. Mark O'Meley
16. Brent Kite
17. Craig Wing
Townsville Titan
28-05-06, 06:48 PM
N.S.W
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Matt King
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Matt Cooper
5. Eric Grothe jnr
6. Braith Anasta
7. Brett Finch (If Johns decides to play then switch finch to 5/8)
8. Joel Clinton
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Luke O'Donnell
13. Steve Menzies
14. Steve Simpson
15. Mark O'Meley
16. Brent Kite
17. Craig Wing
I wouldnt change too much. Queensland were favourite's to win but we managed to come away with it so gotta award the players somehow. I put Clinton in cos although the Panthers aren't going that well he does have an enormous impact on the team. Bailey would get us penalised and we cant afford that...
Titanium_BD1103
29-05-06, 08:42 AM
on 2nd rowers. Tom Learoyd Lars, Tonnie Carroll, Corie Parker and Ben Hannant would be in the running on my list. Chris Flannery will be back aswell
Um... Learoyd Lahrs is a New South Welshman.. It is in the Daily Telegraph today.. and PROUD TO BE ONE... :clap: . He is from the Tweed but on his form for the NRL it states that he pledges his allegiance to NSW having played there for his first game... and yes he is a very impressive player... one that will serve NSW well in the future... :satan: :satan:
Queenslander
29-05-06, 08:46 AM
Um... Learoyd Lahrs is a New South Welshman.... and PROUD TO BE ONE... :clap: . He is from the Tweed but on his form for the NRL it states that he pledges his allegiance to NSW having played there for his first game... and yes he is a very impressive player... one that will serve NSW well in the future... :satan: :satan:
I heard yesterday that Tom Learoyd Lahrs is actually unsure where his alliegance lies. But you have to believe the Telegraph ;)
On the Sunday Footy Show yesterday stated that the Raiders originally got Tom Learoyd Lahrs under the impression that he is a New South Welshman, however Tom himself is unsure for some reasons.
It might be because of the fact that he may have played his first football in a QLD comp, however personally I am not quite sure.
Titanium_BD1103
29-05-06, 08:47 AM
Ok time for a NSW side... not too many changes... but here it is.. :)
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Matt King
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Matt Cooper
5. Timana Tahu
6. Braith Anasta
7. Brett Finch
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Andrew Ryan
13. Steve Menzies
14. Paul Gallen
15. Mark O'Meley
16. Brent Kite
17. Craig Wing
I think this side is stable and the replacement of O'Donnell with Menzies due to injury and the warrented selection on form of Gallen will ensure the nucleus of the side remains the same... :)
Bolters for NSW for SOO2: Roberts, Campbell and Maitua
Titanium_BD1103
29-05-06, 08:56 AM
I heard yesterday that Tom Learoyd Lahrs is actually unsure where his alliegance lies. But you have to believe the Telegraph ;)
On the Sunday Footy Show yesterday stated that the Raiders originally got Tom Learoyd Lahrs under the impression that he is a New South Welshman, however Tom himself is unsure for some reasons.
It might be because of the fact that he may have played his first football in a QLD comp, however personally I am not quite sure.
LOL yeah I know... not a real reliable source Queenslander... I wouldn't have believed it if it didn't have a comment from Chairman of Queensland Selectors Ross Livermore.... :)
I will type up the article as it can't be found on the DT website... :(
From: The Daily Telegraph, Monday 26th May 2006... By Steve Mascord
Sorry Guys but Thom a true Blue
THOM Learoyd Lahrs could start packing for Maroons Origin Camp today-if only he hadn't declared himself a New South Welshman.
Queensland assistant coach Kevin Walters was gushing in his praise of the Canberra prop after watching his performance against North Queensland on television at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday Night.
"He played Queensland under-19s", Walters said.
Raiders Coach Matthew Elliot agreed, telling us yesterday: "His first senior football was in Queensland. If I was part of their set up I would grab him. He was awesome last night, just awesome."
Mal Meninga is looking for size but QRL Chief Executive Ross Livermore last night proved to be the party-pooper.
"I investigated it last year and he is NSW", Livermore said.
"He played his first senior football down there-and he even wrote on a bloody form he wanted to play for NSW".
Learoyd-Lahrs was born in Tweed Heads and his junior club is Werris Creek.
Learoyd Lahrs is still undicided. the raiders coach said it himself in a quick interview i caught on the weekend
Titanium_BD1103
29-05-06, 08:57 AM
Well could someone tell that to Ross Livermore.... because if he is undecided he should be headed to QLD camp right now... he is too good for them not to have in the side.. ;)
Queenslander
29-05-06, 08:59 AM
Well could someone tell that to Ross Livermore.... because if he is undecided he should be headed to QLD camp right now... he is too good for them not to have in the side.. ;)
It would be a boring camp, no one else would be there yet ;)
But seriously if Ross says that he isnt available than I think thats the end of the issue, unless Tom comes out and openly says that he wants to play for Queensland. But they may open a Pandora's box
exactly. but he might have forgot that he signed a form to say he wanted to be a blue. i think that would be binding unless NSW were willing to release him from it
Titanium_BD1103
29-05-06, 09:00 AM
He is like all players who live in Tweed Heads... they are Pandora's boxes the moment they decide to play football...:lol!:
I wonder what the person who thought that half of Tweed Heads should belong to NSW and half to QLD would be saying now.. :laugh:
well actually Tweed heads finishes on the border them it become coolangatta
Social Loafer
29-05-06, 09:30 AM
Just on TLL
he is in a very unique situation.
He played for Farrer Agricultural College.
Played for both NSW and QLD U19- (I think he played for the NSW when he was like 17) then went on to play rep for trhe QLD U-19's.
But I am pretty sure he is a NSW man :D
Flanker/5-8
29-05-06, 03:33 PM
Bugger that...Queensland needed a big bopper like him in SoO I
[BroncosGirl]
29-05-06, 05:44 PM
Hmm with Hodges out definatley now, its quite a dilemma. Obviously Bell in centres. With Inglish maybe? Slater and ... on the wing? If they god forbid push locky back to FB , Hunt coudl maybe be on the wing. Even though he'd be better at FB.
The Original Idiot
29-05-06, 06:46 PM
If Queensland wants to reassert their dominance for the next game they need a backline like this:
1. Lockyer
2. Wesser
3. Bell
4. Inglis
5. M. Thaiday
6. Thurston
7. Prince
14. Bowen
And pick Shillington, Learoyd-Lahrs and Tronc in the forwards.
Super Cronk
29-05-06, 07:08 PM
IMO Inglis needs to be at fullback. Putting him on the wing will only limit the amount of ball he gets.
If Queensland wants to reassert their dominance for the next game they need a backline like this:
1. Lockyer
2. Wesser
3. Bell
4. Inglis
5. M. Thaiday
6. Thurston
7. Prince
14. Bowen
Top backline Original Idiot...I'm a big fan...I'm jumping on this bandwagon
i dislike the winger forthe simple fact tht they aren't any god. wesser was shocking in his last attemps of SOO and Milton Thiaday is Injured. Billy Slater should be on 1 and Inglis on the other ATM. Inglis is good but i would really like to see him eased into SOO.
[BroncosGirl]
30-05-06, 12:53 PM
If Queensland wants to reassert their dominance for the next game they need a backline like this:
1. Lockyer
2. Wesser
3. Bell
4. Inglis
5. M. Thaiday
6. Thurston
7. Prince
14. Bowen
And pick Shillington, Learoyd-Lahrs and Tronc in the forwards.
Wesser? What has he done this year? He hasn't been that great, had a couple of good games, thats about it. Bell and Inglis i love the idea of though, in teh centres. Thaiday, another rookie. I dont think hes up to it, his main pos. though is FB, can't test him for the first time on the wing at S.O.O level? ANyways yea hes injured, still wouldnt' like to see him there though. Slater should be on one wing. IF Inglis isn't in centres, then yea on the other wing.
i dislike the winger forthe simple fact tht they aren't any god. wesser was shocking in his last attemps of SOO and Milton Thiaday is Injured. Billy Slater should be on 1 and Inglis on the other ATM. Inglis is good but i would really like to see him eased into SOO.
Wesser is fast, hard and finds the line...exactly what you want from a winger.
I liked the idea of Thaiday but no good if injured.
When does Billy Slater come back?
Beside the easy drop ball from nerves, Inglis killed it.
Scored a brilliant try from a bad Lockyer pass and saved a certain NSW try.
It's too late to ease him into Origin...he's now part of it.
Throw him in the centres!
Supergoose
30-05-06, 10:48 PM
Considering I think the selectors will move Lockyer to fullback here is my side for SOO 2
1. Lockyer
2. Hunt
3. Inglis
4. Bell
5. Tate/Slater (if he has a good match for Storm this weekend)
6. Thurston
7. Prince
8. Civoniceva
9. Smith
10. Price
11. Webb
12. Myles
13. Carroll/Harrison/Johnson
14. Tronc/Shillington (either one will do)
15. Thaiday/Parker
16. Scott
17. Berrigan/Bowen (With Lockyer at fullback and Hunt on the wing I reckon you could go with Bowen as Lockyer and Hunt could fill in anywhere that Bowen doesn't but Berrigan gives you more options as far as he can play lock if he has to)
A bit of fence sitting here but I reckon the main thing is the pack gets upsized and Karmichael Hunt plays. I reckon Stagg and Johnson are too small. Corey Parker has outplayed Stagg in nearly every game this year and gives more minutes than Thaiday at the moment. Tronc will be a huge asset I reckon with the speed of his play the balls and his hitting in defence. I haven't seen much of Shillington but the word is he is similar in style and size to Tronc so bring him on if that is the case! As long as Chris Flannery isn't picked I'll be pretty happy. If the selectors don't plump for moving Lockyer back it allows both Tate and Slater to play with Slater on a wing with Hunt at fullback and Inglis in the centres. I'd be happy to go with Wesser over Slater if the form this weekend warrants it.
Wesser is fast, hard and finds the line...exactly what you want from a winger.
I liked the idea of Thaiday but no good if injured.
When does Billy Slater come back?
Beside the easy drop ball from nerves, Inglis killed it.
Scored a brilliant try from a bad Lockyer pass and saved a certain NSW try.
It's too late to ease him into Origin...he's now part of it.
Throw him in the centres!
Wesser was like that 3 yrs ago. and got his chance and bombed it big time.
and i like Inglis in the centres but i still think to early. he could just fit really good. or e could have a shocker and lose alot of his confidence which would set back his career at this stage.
As long as Chris Flannery isn't picked I'll be pretty happy.
I agree with the above quote Supergoose, Flannery has been very average in past Origins.
I'm suprised everyone is playing it save picking Price as the run on prop.
Price is too slow and too soft for Origin!
and i like Inglis in the centres but i still think to early. he could just fit really good. or e could have a shocker and lose alot of his confidence which would set back his career at this stage.
Too early?...what are you...his Mum?
His big enough, strong enough and above all skillfull enough.
Now he's had the experience, he'll be looking forward to inject himself into the game.
Too early?...what are you...his Mum?
His big enough, strong enough and above all skillfull enough.
Now he's had the experience, he'll be looking forward to inject himself into the game.
1 game is not experiance and you should know that if you have ever played league. i think leaving him on the wing or at FB for the rest of this series would benifit him more in the long run. we dont want him ending up like Jamie Lyon and running away cause it got to tough. he made some big mistakes in game 1 but all that has been over looked because he scored the 2 tries to get us back into the game.
1 game is not experiance and you should know that if you have ever played league. i think leaving him on the wing or at FB for the rest of this series would benifit him more in the long run. we dont want him ending up like Jamie Lyon and running away cause it got to tough. he made some big mistakes in game 1 but all that has been over looked because he scored the 2 tries to get us back into the game.
I suppose we have difference of opinions here but I don't think Jamie Lyon run away because "it got too tough"
Breaking free from Brian Smith was probably the best decision he made.
he still ran cause NRL was to tough. thats why he spent a year showing peole he was good with a country team. then goes to England and shows up a hap of 2nd rate and past it english players to make it sound like hes the best. when he gets back to the real footy he will realise that he cant hack it again and will run again
anyway back on topic
SMH
Billy Slater wants to cement his place back in the in-form Melbourne Storm lineup before pondering his chances of a recall to the Queensland Origin team.
Having served a seven-match ban for kicking Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis in the head, Slater will make his comeback against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.
Although he was named on the interchange bench, Slater could also start at either wing or centre for the Storm.
But he realises that teenage sensation Greg Inglis has made the Melbourne fullback's position his own - at least for now.
"Greg has been doing a great job over the last couple of months so there's no reason why he should be moved," Slater said.
"He's played State of Origin and he's playing some of the best football in our team.
"My preferred position is at fullback but at this club we've got a very unselfish theme going at the moment.
"If that means me playing out of position to help the side I'm more than happy to do that."
Queensland will name its team for the must-win second Origin match on Monday.
A hamstring injury to Brisbane's Justin Hodges has created a vacancy in the Maroons backline, while there is also a push up north for Brisbane fullback Karmichael Hunt to replace Matt Bowen in the No.1 jumper.
With Hodges out and Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga also unavailable with a hamstring strain, it is expected either Inglis or fellow Origin I winger Steve Bell will be shifted to the centres.
This would leave Slater fighting it out with Bowen for a spot on the wing, although Slater was careful not to get ahead of himself after spending so long on the sidelines.
"I've got a lot more things to worry about than playing Origin, trying to get back in this side first," he said.
"That's obviously down the track but I would have had one game under my belt and things would have to go my way before the Origin selectors would have to look at me.
"I'm just concentrating on the Roosters on Saturday night and hopefully we can get over the line there."
Veteran Melbourne utility back Matt Geyer will play his 200th NRL match on Saturday at Olympic Park.
He welcomed the return of Slater to bolster one of the most exciting backlines in the NRL, while adding that the Queensland flyer would not necessarily go straight into the Melbourne starting lineup.
"We've won six of our last seven," said Geyer.
"You saw with Scotty Hill earlier in the year, he had to bide his time after we'd won a few games while he was out.
"And I'm sure with Bill he'll be happy to do that too."
Despite having played only three games over the last 10 weeks, St George Illawarra prop Luke Bailey is making an irrepressible charge towards a NSW Origin berth.
With North Queensland lock Luke O'Donnell set to miss the second Origin clash at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week with a thumb injury, Bailey has come rocketing into calculations.
The Dragons workhorse would add some extra grunt to a Blues pack which went into the series opener with only two specialist props in Mark O'Meley and Brent Kite.
Willie Mason and Steve Simpson, both more renowned as second rowers, helped fill the void up front, but the unfortunate injury to O'Donnell has opened the door for Bailey to come in and add some balance to the Blues pack.
So far, season 2006 has been one disappointment followed by another for Bailey. Sidelined with a knee injury after the Dragons round two loss to Penrith, Bailey returned to play against the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne before copping a two-match suspension for a late shot on Storm halfback Cooper Cronk.
The ban ruled Bailey out of contention for the opening Origin clash at Telstra Stadium, but after showing what he was capable of with a barnstorming game against Newcastle last Friday night, Bailey, who has nine Origin games under his belt, is back in the selectors' sights.
"All he has to do is keep going along, if he does that I'm sure he'll come into calculations," Blues selector Laurie Daley said.
"We could bring him in for O'Donnell and put Simpson back down from the front row, but he isn't the only one.
"There's a couple of players who we mentioned before Origin 1 that were unlucky to miss out, and I'm sure they'll be considered again."
Others believed to be in line for a berth in Brisbane should O'Donnell be unavailable are Sydney Roosters veteran Craig Fitzgibbon and Cronulla backrower Paul Gallen, who showed he was capable of making the step up in class with a strong performance for City Origin in Dubbo last month.
NSW and Parramatta backrower Nathan Hindmarsh, who will get a first hand look at Bailey's form when the Eels take on the Dragons on Friday night, said he would have no hesitation in bringing in the Gold Coast Titans-bound prop.
"If there are any injuries on the weekend, he'll probably be the first bloke to be looked at," Hindmarsh said.
"I don't know who you're going to leave out from the Blues side, I think the forward pack did a good job.
"(But if O'Donnell is out) I think Bails would be a good option, we can reshuffle our forward pack."
One-time Queensland enforcer Greg Dowling has put his Origin job on the line by calling on Darren Lockyer to return to fullback and relinquish the captaincy.
"That'll probably land me in trouble with Mal (Meninga)," the former Queensland and Australian prop told AAP.
"If I get the chop, so be it.
"But I'm hoping it will motivate them.
"I imagine Lockyer will not be too happy with me but I'm saying it for the right reasons."
Dowling believes Lockyer would best help Queensland save the series by playing fullback and handing over the captaincy to North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston.
He said Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince should partner Thurston in the halves and feels the Maroons need another big, tough forward to add some missing aggression after being belted in Sydney last week.
"It's my call and I know it's a big one," Dowling wrote in his weekly Cairns Post newspaper column.
"Darren Lockyer is not leadership material at Origin level.
"He's a great player, no doubt and has an aura about him.
"But to me, he does not motivate his men, he leads more by example."
Dowling said Lockyer was a "cool, calm and collected" player but at times not boisterous enough with his players.
"I just think in the battle, with these new guys you need someone who keeps talking and talking to them," said Dowling.
"Thurston is going to be there for the next 10 years and he'll be a future captain."
Dowling was brought into Origin camp by Meninga along with several former Queensland players to help coach the young forwards making their debuts in Sydney.
He accepted responsibility for their lack of aggression in the first half but promised to address that before the return game on June 14.
He didn't stir the young players' emotions enough on game night because be believed players prepared differently to his day.
"I was wrong and I will personally be putting a bomb under these guys next time," he said.
Lockyer doesn't want to play fullback.
He played there in the final 30 minutes of the Test against New Zealand earlier this month and looked very dangerous.
"We saw what happened in the Test, he carved them up," said Dowling.
Lockyer is fed up with the endless calls for him to play fullback.
Former NSW Origin coaches Phil Gould and Tim Sheens are the latest calling for the move.
Gould even said Queensland should leave Lockyer out of its Origin side all together for the return game - a ludicrous suggestion given his stature as one of the game's best players.
"It's obviously something that doesn't go away, no matter what I do at five-eighth," said Lockyer.
"The Origin game was very disappointing and being a senior player within the team, I feel personally like I've let everyone down and it's an awful feeling.
"I'm better off just not commenting on it any more.
"I've said what I have to say and it's out of my hands, I'll just leave it at that."
Queensland coach Mal Meninga was not available for comment.
Flanker/5-8
31-05-06, 07:04 PM
Price is too slow and too soft for Origin!
This is utter blasphemy. Pricey has been one of the form props in the league for the past decade - never the fastest bloke on the field, but you know he'll never let you down. Cart it straight up the middle, that's his job, and he does it well.
Titanium_BD1103
31-05-06, 07:20 PM
Agreed... I reckon Price was the only forward who stood up in Origin I... the rest were lacklustre and will need to improve... :)
Price will give 100% every game and he is an asset any team should be greatful to have... :D :D
Supergoose
31-05-06, 10:18 PM
Got to have a guy like Price there as he can play at a high level for extended periods. Particularly if the selectors persist in guys like Webb and Thaiday who are 20 minute men in Origin terms.
SMH
QUEENSLAND will send a selector to Melbourne to watch Billy Slater's return from suspension for the Storm against Sydney Roosters on Saturday, with a view to rushing the flyer back into the team for State of Origin II.
The Herald has learned Gene Miles - one of three Maroons selectors - will be at Olympic Park on Saturday night to observe not only Slater but also Roosters forwards Chris Flannery and David Shillington.
In NSW news, halfback Craig Gower will know after he goes for a run today whether he can make a comeback for Penrith this weekend and aim at knocking Brett Finch out of the Blues team.
NSW and Queensland will name their teams on Monday, with the game to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week, and Gower has no hope of being selected if he doesn't play for the Panthers on Sunday.
Gower was named as NSW halfback for Origin I but hurt his knee at training the day before the game and was ruled out and forced to undergo an operation. Finch replaced him and starred in the 17-16 win to the Blues.
Blues coach Graham Murray, interviewed at a lunch in Sydney yesterday, said he had heard Queensland would bring Flannery and Brisbane's Tonie Carroll into the forward pack and also pick Brisbane's Karmichael Hunt at fullback.
He made no mention of Slater, who has been out for seven matches for kicking, but the Storm star is right in the mix as the Maroons investigate all options in a bid to come up with the right team to level the series.
Slater was named 18th man when the Melbourne team was released on Tuesday but will play against Penrith and is in line to get a wing spot for Queensland.
Manly's Steve Bell is set to move from wing to centre for Queensland to fill the spot left vacant by the injured Justin Hodges.
Queensland are considering several options at fullback - Matt Bowen, who started there in game one, Hunt, and Melbourne's Greg Inglis, who started on the wing in the first game but switched positions with Bowen for part of the match.
There are continued calls for the selectors to move Brisbane's Darren Lockyer from five-eighth to fullback, with former Queensland star Greg Dowling the latest to join them - and even call for Lockyer to give up the Maroons captaincy. "Darren Lockyer is not leadership material at Origin level," Dowling wrote in his Cairns newspaper column. "He's a great player, no doubt, and has an aura about him. But to me, he does not motivate his men, he leads more by example."
But it remains unlikely the selectors will move Lockyer, mainly because he is vehemently against the move himself.
Slater, who will start at wing or centre or come off the bench for the Storm, said yesterday he wasn't really thinking about Origin at this stage.
"A lot of things would have to go my way for selectors to have a look at me," he said.
Slater played fullback in the first two games of last year's series for Queensland but was dropped for the third.
Gower said yesterday he was reasonably confident about playing on Sunday - only 11 days after having cartilage damage repaired. He has done nothing but rest and have physiotherapy since having the operation - apart from playing a round of golf - but will put his knee under some pressure at training today.
"I saw Merv [Cross, his surgeon] on Monday and he said my knee was looking fine," Gower said. "He told me to wait until Thursday to have a run and see how I felt after that.
"The swelling has gone down and I'm walking fine, so hopefully I'll be able to run and have no problems. I'll know more when I see how I pull up on Friday morning, but I'm fairly confident at this stage about playing on Sunday."
Gower would still need to play strongly against the Sea Eagles to have any chance of getting past Finch.
St George Illawarra prop Luke Bailey has the inside running to be added to the Blues squad for lock Luke O'Donnell, who is expected to miss game two with a thumb injury.
Super Cronk
01-06-06, 06:07 PM
slates will have to improve alot on his earlier season form if he is to make SOO.
This is utter blasphemy. Pricey has been one of the form props in the league for the past decade - never the fastest bloke on the field, but you know he'll never let you down. Cart it straight up the middle, that's his job, and he does it well.
Yes he has been good in the last decade...I'm not taking that away from him but it's too quick for him now.
But he is the first Prop I've seen get carried 10 metres backwards into his own goal area.
Hoppy2007Dragons
01-06-06, 08:28 PM
Queensland
1. Lockyer
2. Wesser
3. Bell
4. Hodges (if fit)
5. Inglis
6. Thurston
7. Prince
8. Price
9. Smith
10. Civioniceva
11. Webb (needs to start the match, to fire up i reckon)
12. Shillington
13. Flannery
14. Thaiday (needed more game time, looked decent)
15. Bowen (impact player, cover ur centres and wingers incase they get injured again lol)
16. Johnson
17.Scott
NSW (no bias at all)
1. Hornby (i feel hodgson is too small, and Hornby can kick goals, plus can inject himself like lockyer just not as good)
2. King
3. Gasnier
4. Cooper
5. Tahu
6. Anasta
7. Gower/ Finch (gower if fit)
8. Bailey
9. Buderus
10. O'Meley
11. Mason
12. Hindmarsh
13. Wing
14. Kite
15. Menezies
16. Simpson
17. Ryan
Supergoose
01-06-06, 09:22 PM
No Flannery No Please Qld SOO selectors no more pus
No Flannery No Please Qld SOO selectors no more pus
Supergoose,
They didn't listen to you or anyone that had an idea on how QLD could win.
I'm so disappointed in the side, I'm going to get some bets against them.
Manly Boy
03-07-06, 02:47 PM
These all look like good sides and would all do well if chosen. The actual teams selected are very good ....
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