I can tell you who I DON'T want to see in a Blues jersey......Anasta, Mason, Quinn, Turner, Fitzgibbon, or Kimmoreley.........Never again.
The halfback, 5/8 areas are the most problematic. Does anyone think Soward is a chance ? His kicking game when on song is one of the best in the NRL, and this is something we lacked big time last year. We've got to find the grass and not give Slater a chance with good kick returns. I don't think Wallace is as good in this department. What other options are there ? Mullen, Barrett, Pearce, Wing, Gidley, Finch, Hornby. I'd be prepared to give Soward a go, but not sure that Bellamy is the right coach to get the best out of him.
Same with 5/8. Campese, Sutton, Anasta, Gidley, Barrett, Wing. Not a stand out there. I would have liked to see Campo get more of a run in the World Cup games to see what he was made of, but unfortunately the finger in the eye put paid to that. I hope they don't pick Sutton because I don't think he is up to it. Surely not Anasta ?
Ennis should get the nod over Farah as he is in good form, has a better kicking game and is a bigger unit. He has also got quite a bit of c*nt in him, which you need at Origin.
Brett should be a moral for the 1, but who knows given all the crap surrounding him this season.
Plenty of good backrowers to choose from with Glen, Choc, Laffranchi, Heighnington, Creagh, Tupou, Gallen they'll probably even consider Hoffman, Hindmarsh, Waterhouse and O'Donnell.
Front row is a bit thin. I think Bailey and Kite should be musts. Then you've got Weyman, Cross, White, Perry, Poore and Shillington might be a smokey.
Whoever they pick at centre must be able to tackle. Cooper will probably get one spot, and Monaghan the other. I like Jennings too, but can't see them picking him. Maybe on a wing. Luke Lewis ? too slow these days ? I'm not a big rap on the Morris brothers.
Utility will probably come down to whether Gidley gets a starting spot or not. Otherwise Wing or maybe Lewis.
I'll have a stab at
1. Stewart
2. Monaghan (height to combat Folau)
3. Jennings
4. Cooper
5. Williams
6. Campese (lack of other options)
7. Gidley (I'd be happy to give Soward one chance to see if he has it)
8. Bailey
9. Ennis
10. Kite
11. Heighnington
12. Gallen
13. Stewart
14. Laffranchi
15. Poore
16. Creagh / Tupou (either or)
17. Wing
What they'll probably pick
17. Gidley
2. Turner
3. Monaghan
4. Cooper
5. Quinn
6. Sutton
7. Wallace
8. Bailey
9. Ennis
10. Kite
11. Hindmarsh
12. Gallen
13. Hoffman
14. Mason
15. Fitzgibbon (as reserve prop LOL)
16. Cross (White if his ingrown toenail heals in time)
1. Stewart (5 minutes of game time once we are down 32-8)