Orfords thoughts on Origin halfback selection

Part-time No.7 Origin insult: Orford

April 08, 2008 ASPIRING New South Wales halfback Matt Orford admits he would be insulted if selectors threw the No.7 Blues jumper to a part-timer this year.

Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah has emerged as a contender in the extensive field jostling for the halfback position as he struggles to unseat incumbent No.9 and skipper Danny Buderus.

Farah's case was strengthened when he was named at halfback for the Tigers in Sunday's clash with Canberra.

But Orford says it would be an insult to every genuine halfback vying for the Blues position if Farah was given first crack.

"I think any halfback would (be insulted)," he said.

"Every halfback in this competition wants to play for their state and country.

"You're out there busting your butt, you've been playing halfback all your career and then they go and throw nines up as potential sevens.

"To be taken over by a quality nine, that is where he plays his best football, I guess it is a bit of an insult to all halfbacks."


Well perhaps if Orford played to the level of his pay packet and starting directing the team with some authority, actually taking the bull by the horns and running our attack with some CONSISTENCY then his price might shorten a little. This coming Friday will be a big test for him and is his big chance to prove some knockers wrong. If he wants to be a serious contender for SOO he needs a top shelf performance against the reigning premiers, he can't afford to go missing or get overawed by the occasion. We've had 4 rounds to get into the swing of things, now is the time for him to show what he has got, regardless of who is playing outside him in 6.

This is the current market for SOO Halfback selection in Game 1 according to Lasseters Sportsbook. I think Gidley will definitely be in the team as a bench utility, not half, but I can't believe they've got Wallace as favourite. I'd imagine Anasta will be 5/8 as his form has been pretty good this season and there doesn't seem to be any real competition for that spot (least of all from Willo), so maybe the club combo of Pearce and Anasta might be a smokey. Mullen being out injured won't help his chances despite being the incumbent, along with The Gimp.

The more you look at this list the more I'm worried about the Blues chances this year. The Morons have an embarrassment of riches in the 7....Thurston, Prince & Cronk, any of whom would walk into the Blues side at starting half.


WALLACE,Peter (BRIS) 3.00

FINCH,Brett (PARR) 4.50

ORFORD,Matt (MAN) 5.00

KIMMORLEY,Brett (CRON) 7.00

GIDLEY,Kurt (NEWC) 9.00

CARNEY,Todd (CANB) 11.00

FARAH,Robbie (WstT) 13.00

PEARCE,Mitchell (SYD) 13.00

MULLEN,Jarrod (NEWC) 17.00

SOWARD,Jamie (StG) 67.00