THAT’S A HESS V OTE
MAROONS legend Brent Tate believes Coen Hess’s inexperience at NRL level could help the Cowboys youngster avoid stage fright if he’s thrust into the Origin arena this year.
Tate and injured Cowboys prop Matt Scott had each played just 14 matches before they were blooded for Queensland, the least number of any debutants since the NRL era began in 1998.
Hess will play just his 20th NRL match against Cronulla tonight and while many feel that could count against him, Tate said it could prevent him being overawed by the occasion.
“From my point of view I was more ex- cited than nervous ( when I debuted),” Tate said. “That was probably because I hadn’t played too many games and everything was so new and exciting, for him that would probably be the case as well.”
Although Tate said the 20- year- old might benefit from another year of NRL before being thrown into Origin, he believes he would handle it if his name is read out next week.
“At the start of the year I was thinking he might get picked, but I probably think it is just a bit too early for him,” Tate said.
“While he is playing really good footy there’s probably a couple of parts of his game that he needs to be better at to play at that level.
“( But) if he got the green light he’d handle it, myself and Matty Scott had only played a few games and we went on to have long Origin careers.
“It may not affect him as well and to be honest, that’s what I think he’d do.”
Maroons stalwart Corey Parker, who retired at the end of last year, believes Hess is the man to help fill the void left by he and Scott.
“I think Coen Hess will play a role in the Origin series at some stage. I’d personally have him in my 17 for game one,” he told Fox Sports’ Sterlo on the Couch.
“He’s big and raw, he’s aggressive and imposing and we’ve seen what he can do close to the line.
“I’d be putting him on just before halftime when the fatigue factor’s there. I think close to the line he can attract the defence and they can play out the back.” Brent Tate 14 Matthew Scott 14 Carl Webb 15 William Hopoate 15 Cameron Smith 18 Source: Fox Sports Stats