2020 State Of Origin Thread

[Gumby]

I no it’s earky days but figured I’d make a thread for origin this year. If the series was to be over the next couple months I would tip NSW 3-0. However with it being at the end of the year I think Qld can really pull it back. They have such a young group and the more nrl experience under there belts the better.

 

[Gumby]

https://www.qrl.com.au/about/eligible-players/

Some good players finally starting to come through.

My maroons team for the end of the year would be:

1. Ponga
2. Holmes
3. Gagai
4. Mbye
5. Feldt
6. Munster
7. Cherry-Evans
8. Papalli
9. Friend
10. Napa
11. Kaufusi
12. Fifita
13. Arrow

14. Morgan
15. McGuire
16. Carrigan
17. Capewell/Lowe

18. Oates
19. Mahoney
20. Collins
21. Seve

 

[Jaz]

Oates > Feldt
Morgan > Mbye

I've been impressed with Friend since the comp restart. The new rules have really unleashed his shackles.

 

[snowman]

blocked and reported for talking origin

 

[Addy]

Early Origin talk was cancelled this year, therefore it will become late Origin talk, which will merge with the 2021 early Origin talk, therefore creating a 12 month block where people make Origin lists

 

[Gumby]

Queensland are ****ed this year.

They haven't been this bad since the early 2000's. Gonna be a pretty average series this year I reckon.

 

[Tiger Shark]

I do like that's its back to back over 3 weeks and doesn't affect the regular season.

 

[Gumby]

I think thats how it should be moving forward.

But then it interferes with the international season? So its a tough one.

 

[Gards]

hopefully Wade doesn't get picked and it's the kick up the pants he needs

i think he's be snubbed before and turned his form/fitness turned around but this time he would be heading straight into an end of year break and then pre-season so the motivation might wane

 

[Capital_Shark]

With the plethora of backrowers at NSW disposal I think Wades no hope.

 

[Milkshark]

Wade wouldn’t make the city team

barely even makes sharks

 

[BurgoShark]

Queensland are ****ed this year.

They haven't been this bad since the early 2000's. Gonna be a pretty average series this year I reckon.

Have heard this one before.

Brisbane and the Cowboys sucked, but there are still plenty of good players to pick from outside of those teams.

Fullback and halves are set; middles won’t be an issue; hooker they have options; it is just centres that are thin on the ground. Might end up with Morgan/Mbye combo... Pity we can’t claim Olam.

 

[bort]

Have heard this one before.

Brisbane and the Cowboys sucked, but there are still plenty of good players to pick from outside of those teams.

Fullback and halves are set; middles won’t be an issue; hooker they have options; it is just centres that are thin on the ground. Might end up with Morgan/Mbye combo... Pity we can’t claim Olam.

I'm still too traumatised by the Qld period of dominance to be writing them off for any game or series any time soon

 

[Milkshark]

Qld team is trash, but anything can and will happen in origin

 

[vicsharkfan]

Wonder if the players have a different mindset now it’s end of the season?

 

[sharkgaz]

If Cam Smith retires this year, I reckon he will play origin

 

[Western Sharkie]

Have heard this one before.

Brisbane and the Cowboys sucked, but there are still plenty of good players to pick from outside of those teams.

Fullback and halves are set; middles won’t be an issue; hooker they have options; it is just centres that are thin on the ground. Might end up with Morgan/Mbye combo... Pity we can’t claim Olam.

They will be okay.
They can claim some obscure country town anywhere in Aus and claim it as Queensland and all players from that region and surrounding regions (within 16,000 kms) as Queenslanders in need........

 

[HaroldBishop]

Wonder if the players have a different mindset now it’s end of the season?

Possibly, especially with having to stay in a bubble.

 

[BurgoShark]

With a fixed 27 man squad do you think we’ll see a few guys on each side who are in for their utility value but won’t play unless there is an injury (e.g. Capewell, Mann for Qld, McInnes for NSW)?

Fixed squad for bubble origin reminds me of the old Kangaroo tours, when you’d see a few guys each time picked for their ability to play multiple spots well rather than being the best at one (e.g. Hasler, Florimo, Jason Croker, Darren Smith).

 

[Western Sharkie]

With a fixed 27 man squad do you think we’ll see a few guys on each side who are in for their utility value but won’t play unless there is an injury (e.g. Capewell, Mann for Qld, McInnes for NSW)?

Fixed squad for bubble origin reminds me of the old Kangaroo tours, when you’d see a few guys each time picked for their ability to play multiple spots well rather than being the best at one (e.g. Hasler, Florimo, Jason Croker, Darren Smith).

I agree.
With 27 man squads The coaches would be crazy NOT to pick utilities.
I think they will probably pick their preferred 1-17 as per optimum side with 18-21 as optimum cover players for that side and then fill say 22-27 based on “utility” factors (not necessarily the next best in a certain position but good enough and can cover multiple roles/ positions).