Origin great Slater’s a must for Maroons
Innisfail star deserves the nod ahead of Boyd but Myles looks unlikely to earn spot
IT’S that time of year again when every rugby league fan becomes an armchair expert and thinks they know who should be playing State of Origin.
The circus starts earlier every year and Kevin Walters and the selectors actually have some pretty big decisions to make come Monday.
One decision has made for them.
There is no doubt it’s time the No.1 jersey is returned to its rightful place – the back of Innisfail’s Billy Slater.
No disrespect to Darius Boyd, who has done a fine job in his place, but our Far North favourite has been in vintage form in the past month and has warmed to the task nicely going into the biggest game for any Maroon-blooded fan.
You just can’t argue with stats of three tries in his past two games and a magnificent seven try assists in his past four matches.
But another local legend not doing so great is Nate Myles.
Queenslanders are a loyal lot but chances are he won’t get a call up and he’s not in my squad either.
Then again, form isn’t everything. Justin O’Neill still makes the cut. But then I’ve dropped Dane Gagai.
Injury doesn’t really bother me either. Try to keep JT from running on the field. If his body doesn’t pull up, readers of this been 1. Billy Slater (Storm) 2. Darius Boyd (Broncos) 3. Justin O’Neill (Cowboys) 4. Will Chambers (Storm) 5. Valentine Holmes (Sharks) 6. Johnathon Thurston (Cows) 7. Cooper Cronk (Storm) 8. Josh McGuire (Broncos) 9. Cameron Smith (Storm) 10. Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) 11. Josh Papalii (Raiders) 12. Gavin Cooper (Cowboys) 13. Matt Gillett (Broncos) INTERCHANGE 14. Michael Morgan (Cowboys) 15. Sam Thaiday (Broncos) 16. Jarrod Wallace (Titans) 17. Dylan Napa (Roosters) 18th man: Coen Hess space last week will know I prefer DCE to partner Cronk.
I feel like Valentine Holmes and Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa (though only just back from injury) have earned a debut, but I’m just not convinced Coen Hess is quite ready.
No forward can sniff out a try as good as he can, but in the last few weeks I’ve noticed the rigours of week-to-week football taking their toll.
His workrate and energy has been waning, but I think a week in camp would help his development. Who would you pick? Tell us what you think at twitter.com/TheCairns Post or send Jacob an email jacob.grams@news.com.au