Origin 2007: Name your teams

[Social Loafer]

Jason Smith is a queenslander

Whoops, I meant Carney playing Country Origin.

Smithy is a legend and was quoted in saying Carney, Weyman, Tilse and Zillman will play for Australia in 405 years...

[Flanker/5-8]

405 years, what a nervous wait! I agree with him, but Weyman will have to wait 'til he gets a few injury-free seasons under his belt.

Anyway, here's my NSW team...

1. Brett STEWART
2. Nathan MERRITT
3. Jamie LYON
4. Luke LEWIS
5. Luke ROONEY
6. Todd CARNEY
7. Michael MONAGHAN
8. Mark O'MELEY
9. Danny BUDERUS (C)
10. Brent KITE
11. Nathan HINDMARSH
12. Willie MASON
13. Andrew RYAN

14. Alan TONGUE
15. Luke BAILEY
16. Reni MAITUA
17. Joel CLINTON

[lambdalogan]

My team as at round seven


1. Hunt
2. Slater
3. Hodges
4. Inglis
5. Tate
6. Lockyer
7. Thurston
8. Price
9. C. Smith
10. Civinoceva
11. Webb (if fit)
12. Crocker
13. Johnson

14. Thiaday
15. Carlaw
16. Costigan
17. Prince

18. Ross
19. Berrigan
20. Bowen

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

My team for NSW.

1. Gidley
2. King
3. Cooper
4. Lyon
5. Grothe
6. Burns
7. Orford
8. Kite
9. Buderus
10. O'Meley
11. Mason
12. Hindmarsh
13. Bird

14. Bailey
15. Ryles
16. Ryan
17. Tupou

18. Monaghan

I hope Greg Bird gets a spot as a bolter, he has played good football so far this season and has been instrumental in the shrks good form.

[Social Loafer]

Pretty sure Burns is a QLDER...

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

serious i thought he was a welsh man, **** that sucks well put todd carney in his place if this is the case.

[tom91]

QLD.

1. Hunt
2. Walker
3. Rogers
4. Hodges
5. Tate
6. Thurston
7. Lockyer
8. Carlaw
9. Smith
10. Civoneciva
11. Thiaday
12. undecided
13. Carroll

[Steelers]

Billy Slater needs to be in the QLD starting lineup somewhere! He is in top form, and has done the job before, the perfect mix of experience and form!

[Tamwelg]

Queensland

1. Karmicheal Hunt
2. Billy Slater
3. Grag Ingliss
4. Justin Hodges
5. Isreal Folou
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Jonathon Thurston
13. Tony Carroll
12. Antonio Kaufusi
11. Sam Thaiday
10. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
8. Steve Price

14. Carl Webb
15. Dane Carlaw
16. Dallas Johnson
17. Scott Prince

[Steel Dragon]

My updated teams:

New South Wales
1. Anthony Minichello
2. Brett Stewart
3. Matt King
4. Timana Tahu
5. Nathan Merritt
6. Kurt Gidley
7. Matt Orford
13. Reni Maitua
12. Nathan Hindmarsh
11. Andrew Ryan
10. Willie Mason
9. Danny Buderus
8. Luke Bailey

14. Ryan Hoffman
15. Anthony Laffranchi
16. Ben Creagh
17. Braith Anasta

Queensland
1. Matthew Bowen
2. Billy Slater
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Karmichael Hunt
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Jonathon Thurston
13. Dallas Johnson
12. Sam Thaiday
11. Dane Carlaw
10. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
8. Steve Price

14. Anthony Kaufusi
15. Matthew Scott
16. Tonie Carroll
17. Shaun Berrigan

Jason

[Cowboys_Rabbit_Fan]

QLD:
1. Matt Bowen
2. Karmichael Hunt
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Brent Tate
6. Darren Lockyer (C)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Jacob Lillyman
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Shaun Berrigan
15. Antonio Kaufusi
16. Carl Webb
17. Matthew Scott

NSW:
1. Kurt Gidly
2. Nathan Merrit
3. Matt King
4. Matt Cooper
5. Luke Rooney
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Matt Orford
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus (C)
10. Willie Mason
11. Steve Simpson
12. Nathan Hindmarsh
13. Andrew Ryan

14. Jamie Lyon
15. Anthony Tupou
16. Mark O'Meley
17. Glenn Stewart

[Cowboy Titan]

Johnathan's Diary

Underdogs? Not this year




Scott Prince has been in scintillating form for the Gold Coast


02May07

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au.../01/titans.jpg


I'M not sure how often it has happened since 1980 but this year Queensland will head into the State of Origin series as favourites.

It almost goes against the culture of the inter-state series, doesn't it?

For years, no matter what team we have assembled and whether we were the defending champions or not, the Maroons have been lumbered with the underdogs tag.

And, for the most part, it is a label that has sat well with the teams of the past, motivating them to prove the so-called experts wrong.

Just look at us last year.

But in 2007 I don't think there is any doubt that Queensland deserves their favourites' mantle. All you have to do is read the papers or watch the news for proof of that.

The depth we possess this year, particularly in the backline, is unbelievable.

There is a wealth of talent to choose from and I don't think anyone, other than perhaps our captain Darren Lockyer, can consider themselves a shoe-in for their position.

On one hand it is a great situation to be in and on the other I think it is a bit of a curse and I certainly wouldn't want the responsibility of being a selector.

For starters, look at fullback.

With the way my little mate Matty Bowen has been playing at the back for us he should be a near certainty but unfortunately for him and the fans he is anything but.

As well as `Mango', selectors have got guys like Karmichael Hunt, Rhys Wesser, Billy Slater and even Greg Inglis to consider and all five have equally legitimate claims to the No. 1 jersey.

So then you have got to start thinking about playing guys slightly out of position or moving them on to the interchange bench in a utility capacity.

But then what do you do with Australian Test players Justin Hodges, Brent Tate and Shaun Berrigan?

There is also Steve Bell, Ashley Graham and Israel Folau to consider.

Although I played for Australia at halfback a week or so ago, I don't think I should start counting my chickens, mainly because there is a guy named Scott Prince playing brilliantly for the Gold Coast at the moment.

As good as I am certain the Queensland team will be in 2007, I reckon the biggest stories in the media will be about the blokes who missed out.

But despite all those selection headaches, I know one thing for certain.

No matter who is selected to pull on the Maroons jersey ahead of game one at Suncorp Stadium, Queensland will be well represented.

Bring on May 23 and look out New South Wales, we're looking for back-to-back crowns.

[Steel Dragon]

Getting very ****y these northerners: let's hope pride doesn't precede a fall hey?

Anyways, I've changed my mind again. My teams now:

New South Wales
1. Anthony Minichello
2. Brett Stewart
3. Matt King
4. Jamie Lyon
5. Hazem El Masri
6. Kurt Gidley
7. Matt Orford
13. Reni Maitua
12. Andrew Ryan
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
10. Willie Mason
9. Danny Buderus (c)
8. Luke Bailey

14. Brent Kite
15. Anthony Laffranchi
16. Ryan Hoffman
17. Braith Anasta

Queensland
1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Brent Tate
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Billy Slater
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Jonathan Thurston
13. Dallas Johnson
12. Carl Webb
11. Sam Thaiday
10. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
8. Steve Price

14. Shaun Berrigan
15. Matthew Scott
16. Anthony Kaufusi
17. Matthew Bowen

Jason

[Titanium_BD1103]

After City vs Country.... I have gone with the following changes to the team...

NSW Side

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Matt King
3. Jamie Lyon
4. Matt Cooper
5. Eric Grothe Jr
6. Braith Anasta
7. Craig Gower
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Nathan Hindmarsh
13. Andrew Ryan

14. Reni Maitua
15. Ryan Hoffman
16. Brent White
17. Craig Wing

[J-Storm]

After watching the City-Country game, based on form for this year I'd go with this for the Blues...

1. Kurt Gidley*
2. Hazem El Masri*
3. Matt King
4. Dean Collis*
5. Jarryd Hayne*
6. Braith Anasta
7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Lance Thompson*
13. Andrew Ryan

14. Craig Wing
15. Robbie Farah*
16. Ryan Hoffman
17. Steve Simpson

18th Man. Brett White
* Probably won't make the squad but should be in there somehow through the series.

For Qld it's a lil' easier to select...

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Brent Tate
3. Steve Bell
4. Justin Hodges
5. Greg Inglis
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Johnathon Thurston
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
10. Steve Price
11. Dane Carlaw
12. Brad Thorn
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Tonie Carroll
16. Matt Bowen
17. Billy Slater

18th Man. Scott Prince