Snowden reaching for Origin stardom
Snowden reaching for Origin stardom
BY BRAD FORREST
17 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
KADE Snowden stands on the edge of State of Origin selection.
Another big game against Test prop Michael Weyman in Sunday's Sharks-Dragons local league derby and the giant prop-forward could be joining him in the NSW Blues team for Origin III at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, July 7.
Already, state selectors have put an asterisk beside his name, judging the 190-centimetre, 110-kilogram Snowden as: ``Made for Origin''.
"I know Sunday could mean a lot to me,'' said Snowden, 23.
"But if I don't get picked for the next Origin, I'll just look forward to next season.''
The former Australian Schoolboys captain who played for NSW teams in State of Origin curtain-raisers while progressing through Newcastle's junior ranks, grew up admiring Novacastrian Paul Harragon and Queenslander Gorden Tallis.
Not just the Test forwards games, either.
"I especially loved the stoushes between them,'' Snowden admitted with a grin, in between Sharks' training sessions this week.
The Belmont North and Lakes United product captained Newcastle's premiership-winning SG Ball (under-18) team in 2004 and was in charge again when Penrith pipped the Knights in the Jersey Flegg (under-20) decider in 2006.
When Snowden and many other former Knights were unwanted by then coach Brian Smith after 2007, Snowden joined the Sharks.
By his own admission he was a bit overweight and prone to "squaring off'' a bit too often.
He was suspended for five games in his last game for the Knights, so came to the Sharks with a suspension, if not a question mark, hanging over him.
Coach Ricky Stuart had tried earlier to bring Snowden to the Roosters, so was pleased to nab him for the Sharks. He took time adjusting to living away from home, but it also helped him realise his potential.
Snowden didn't take long to muscle up and add dimension to his physical game, winning Country selection this year.
He made a good 93 metres from eight hit-ups and 24 tackles in his 45 minutes, to finish the pick of the front-rowers from either side, and has established himself as one of the form props of the NRL.
He said: "Origin is tough, and definitely more old school ... that suits me down to the ground.''
Contracted to the Sharks until the end of next year, Snowden wants to extend his stay in the Shire.
He has no doubts the Sharks won't be run over out wide this time against the Dragons as they were six weeks ago in Wollongong.
"We're a much better side now, from "Douggy'' (prop Luke Douglas) back to fullback,'' he said.
"We'll stop the Dragons' back three, which starts off their attack each set, and we'll be completing our own sets.''
Both the Sharks and Dragons won't surprise if they change their starting line-ups. Sharks' centre Ben Pomeroy and forward Josh Cordoba, who returned from injuries to play NSW Cup on Saturday, both trained with the first grade side.
Likewise, Kiwi international Jeremy Smith and Nick Emmett have been named on an extended Dragons' bench, with seven Dragons and two Sharks involved in last night's Origin II in Brisbane.
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...ching-for-origin-stardom/1860144.aspx?src=rss
Attachment: Made for Origin: Cronulla Sharks' Kade Snowden is one of the in-form props in the NRL.Picture: Chris Lane
