Got The Blues

The 2007 State of Origin series has been won and lost... Queensland were by far the better team and defeated NSW to claim the series 2-0.

Not much I can say or blame about that, despite the QLD winning try coming from a forward pass and a dubious penalty, but ultimately the better team won the game and the series.

So it becomes a bit of a naval gazing exercise as to how the cause of NSW can be improved.  Clearly the NSW team needs a clean out and players in good form should be picked as opposed to reputation.  I believe we will probably lose the 2008 series as a result as well, but thats what happens when you allow some players to hang around on reputation.

Definite players never to play again include:  Jamie Lyon, Braith Anasta, Steve Simpson, Brent Kite, Danny Buderus.

Players who should only be picked on form if it warrants it next year:  Matt King, Matt Cooper, Brett Kimmorley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan (and only one of Hindmarsh and Ryan should be picked - not both), Luke Bailey, Anthony Minichello.

Of the current team, I would persevere with Jarrod Hayne, Brett Mullen, Greg Bird, Brett Stewart and Willie Mason.  The rest are up for grabs...

I would be looking at for immediate inclusion Robbie Farrah at hooker, Mullen into 5/8 and retain Kimmorley for Game 3, persist with Stewart over Minichello, give King a chance (but only one) at centre and look to an exciting winger not a centre to play wing... Nathan Merritt? In the pack, persist with Hoffman, but look to a young tyro on the bench as opposed to Steve Simpson - someone with a bit of passion... Steve Southern at the Cowboys springs to mind... maybe Watmough from Manly...  Front Row?  Where is Mark O'Meley?  Slot him in, but I just dont think Brett White is the guy for NSW.  O'Meley brings that nutty aggression...

I dont want to sound like a repeat of the papers this morning, but the time has come for the big broom....