Jun 6th, 2017

Jun 6th, 2017

If you think Queensland State of Origin Coach Kevin Walters is having a tough time finding a team for Game II that can beat New South Wales and level the series, then spare a thought for the challenge that lies ahead in future years.

Queensland is about to enter a world of pain. At a time when New South Wales has finally brought together a talented group of players that can potentially stick together over the next three or four seasons, the Maroons looks certain to face an extremely difficult period.

I have a few points to make, so let’s go through them one at a time.

Firstly, Queensland is quite capable of putting a team on the field that can win Game II of this year's series.

I don't believe they will win. However, I’m just making the point that they can put together a team right now that gives them a chance of keeping themselves alive for the final match. Don’t write Queensland off just yet. New South Wales still needs to prove they can back-up their performance in Game I and get it done again here in Sydney to finally get their name engraved on that shield.

If Queensland can somehow get themselves into a decider on home soil in Game III, you can imagine the atmosphere and emotion that will be on display in Brisbane, with perhaps several of Queensland’s greatest ever players, all bidding farewell to Origin football at the same time.

(Getty)

The Blues need to wrap this thing up in Sydney. Don’t give Queensland a smell of a chance.

If we look at a possible Queensland team for Game II, Billy Slater must be included at fullback, Valentine Holmes and Darius Boyd on the wings, Dane Gagai and Will Chambers should be the centre pairing. These fellows pick themselves and provided they are fit and well at the time selection, they represent the best backline players Queensland can name.

Much will depend on the availability of Jonathan Thurston. I believe his shoulder is a major problem and everyone is hoping he will be able to play with this injury during the remainder of the Origin series and what's left of the premiership season.

Queensland will stick with Cooper Cronk in the halfback position.

This is a backline that can trouble New South Wales provided they are playing behind a forward pack that is at least holding its own in the middle of the field.

This is going to be the big problem for Queensland.

Cameron Smith, Matt Gillett, Dylan Napa and Josh McGuire rightfully retain their places. Josh Papalii still has his best Origin football in front of him. Queensland now needs to find another three or four big, mobile bodies, capable of matching it with the power, skill, and mobility of the New South Wales forwards.

Do they stick with big Sam Thaiday and Aidan Guerra one more time? I wouldn’t. But I think Queensland will have to persevere.

The experienced Gavin Cooper must come in the calculations. Outside of these tried and tested players, Queensland would have to gamble on Origin rookies. I don’t think rookies can come here and win in Sydney.

North Queensland youngster Coen Hess said he didn’t believe he was quite ready for Origin football. I totally agree with him. However, the Maroons may have no choice but to give him a baptism of fire.

Outside of these names above, the available options start to run a bit thin. Jarrod Wallace, Jayson Bukuya, Scott Bolton are all handy NRL players, but I don’t think they can get the job done against this New South Wales pack. Chris Grevsmuhl would’ve been an option, but unfortunately, he is injured. Titans forward Chris McQueen elected to play for England this year, ruling him ineligible for Queensland.

Which leads me to the second point I want to make.

Where are the Queensland players of the future?

No one has greater respect for what Queensland has achieved over the last decade than myself. Their winning era is nothing short of extraordinary. I don’t think anyone who’s ever been involved in State of Origin over the last 37 years, would have imagined that one state could ever hold a decade-long dominance over the other.

Queensland's unprecedented success can be put down to the extraordinary talents of a group of champion footballers, not restricted to, but certainly dominated by the likes of Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Slater, Greg Inglis, Corey Parker, Matt Scott, Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday.

The problem is that Queensland soon faces the very real possibility of none of these players being available for Origin football, as early as next year.

They have all done their duty. Nothing lasts forever. Even if they lose this year’s series, nothing can ever diminish their wonderful achievements.

However, I believe they have all had their time. This should be the last series for all of them.

The big question is, who takes their place?

What will State of Origin look like in season 2018 when all these great Queenslanders are gone?

As I scan down the list of players eligible for Queensland selection, names like Darius Boyd, Dane Gagai, Ben Hunt, Andrew McCulloch, Anthony Milford, Tautau Moga, Corey Oates, Valentine Holmes, Ricky Leutele, Ashley Taylor, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster, Jake Granville, Michael Morgan, Corey Norman, Will Chambers, Jake Friend, Chris Grevsmuhl, Matt Gillett, Josh Maguire, Dylan Napa, Coen Hess and Josh Papalii, all stand out as being a part of Queensland’s Origin future.

It’s a highly talented group, but where are the future front row forwards? In fact, other than the hooker position, there is nowhere near enough depth in all the forward positions. Especially when we see that the forward pack for the NSW team will be their strength for the next few years.

In summary then…

I don’t think the experienced Queensland legends still playing now can carry this Queensland team to victory in 2017. They might. They are great players, but I highly doubt they will. I think this NSW team is too good for them.

I don't think any of these great players should be expected to go around in Origin football again next season. They have served their time. Queensland needs to move on.

My major point is that Queensland needs to get very busy developing its representative forward packs of the future. I see real problems for the Maroons in this area.

Who is responsible for this project?

The future of Origin football may depend on it.