Look out for the ratbags to decide decider

WHEN you look back at some of the best State of Origin players, the likes of Alfie Langer, Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler, they all had one thing in common, they were ratbags.

I use the term ratbag with the utmost respect for the above-mentioned men as without them the fortunes of the Maroons and Blues would have been much different.

Ratbags aren’t dirty players, they’re not thugs and they don’t engage in cheap shots.

They are special players because they have the ability to play in the moment, they play with swagger and they don’t take their divots with them.

When a ratbag makes a mistake they don’t stand around and kick stones, they pick themselves up, brush themselves off and get t on with the next play.

Tonight some of the best ratbags of thehe past decade will go head-to-head in a battle royale for the ages.

The Maroons take to ANZ Stadium with Cam Munster (pictured) and debutant and A-grade ratbag Corey Norman, while the Blues welcome back Mitchell Pearce and the biggest ratbag of them all James Maloney.

I love the addition of Norman to the Queensland side. Norman always appears to have time on the field, he’s rarely flustered and has a strong left-foot kicking game.

Munster at fullback should have the Blues on their toes. There’re few players in the game who can break a game open like Munster can.

The Blues will no doubt launch an aerial assault on Munster but I have no doubt he’ll be up to the task.

All eyes will be on Pearce as