By Casey O'Connor
Can you feel the fizz in the air yet – I’m sure if you are a Maroons supporter that bubble of anticipation and excitement is building following the announcement of the State of Origin sides earlier this week.
Of course, in our household where Billy Slater is held in the highest esteem by my significant other (a former Innisfail resident), it is building to an Origin the equal of some of the past great series.
I must admit that I like team Slater’s approach and the team he and his cohort are putting together.
If anyone in Queensland knows a thing or two about what it takes to win an Origin series or eight it is Slater and his sidekicks Thurston and Smith and assistant coach Josh Hannay.
I was particularly taken with the walking history tour Slater took the team on through the streets of Brisbane and down Caxton Street to Suncorp.
With the fun police banning the team bus trips down Caxton Street on game night, the current playing group will never have the opportunity to experience that adrenalin rush. Slater however is doing his best to inspire his troops and brings those feelings to life.
What better inspiration than a team dinner at the Caxton to finish the walking tour complete that special chapter of Origin history delivered by none other than King Wally himself.
Slater’s no-nonsense approach to his job as Coach is appealing at a time when so many are less than transparent.
He is also showing that he did not waste his time under Bellamy, watching and learning and absorbing many of the Bellyaches philosophies along the way.
His team selection process looks to have been very thorough and he is unafraid to give some young blokes their chance as others did for him. Selwyn Cobbo is one of the youngsters I am looking forward to seeing step up to the Origin arena
Slater was always the thinker, always on the lookout for opportunities as a player . Maroon’s fans will be hoping he can transition that to the Origin field as a coach.
The Blues have made some contentious selections in their team, and I expect this series will be even more interesting than normal as it unfolds.
In my humble opinion I fail to see the benefit of any Origin game being played in Perth but apparently as is the way the mighty $$ rules. Seems fans are of little consequence and off to Perth we go for game two.
Let’s hope that no matter the outcome of the 2022 series it is not determined by the Bunker decisions and the bad calls we are subjected to each and every round of the NRL .
I’m looking forward to at least a 22-16 Maroons win (or any Maroon win really).
Up the Mighty Maroons
Queensland team for Game One Blues team for Game One
1. Kalyn Ponga (Knights) James Tedesco, capt. (Roosters)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos) Brian To’o (Panthers)
3. Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
4. Dane Gagai (Knights) Jack Wighton Raiders)
5. Xavier Coates (Storm) Daniel Tupou (Roosters)
6. Cameron Munster (Storm) Jarome Luai (Panthers)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans, capt. (Sea Eagles) Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans) Payne Haas (Broncos)
9. Ben Hunt (Dragons) Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
10. Josh Papalii (Raiders) Junior Paulo (Eels)
11. Kurt Capewell (Broncos) Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
12. Felise Kaufusi (Storm) Tariq Sims (Dragon)
13. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
14. Harry Grant (Storm) Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
15. Lindsay Collins (Roosters) Liam Martin (Panthers)
16. Patrick Carrigan (Broncos) Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels
17. Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys) Ryan Matterson (Eels)
18. Thomas Dearden (Cowboys) Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
19. Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs) Tyson Frizell (Knights)
20. Thomas Flegler (Broncos) Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
21. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys) Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
22. Murray Taulagi (Cowboys) Apisai Koroisau (Panthers)
Casey’s Tips: Cowboys, Bulldogs Sea Eagles Raiders and of course Maroons.
