SoO 2017

Qld legends call for axings

"Queensland coach Kevin Walters is facing immense pressure to usher in some new blood for the June 21 encounter after his team slumped to a record loss on Wednesday night.

A day after Greg Dowling campaigned for the axing of Nate Myles, Ikin joined a long list of ex-Maroons to champion the recall of veteran Billy Slater at fullback.

Ikin said incumbent No. 1 Darius Boyd should move to the wing, pushing Dane Gagai into the centres and Justin O’Neill out of the squad.
...
Ikin, who made 17 appearances for Queensland, is also a supporter of uncapped pair Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace coming in for Aidan Guerra and Myles respectively."

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So it looks like O'Neill, Myles and maybe Guerra may get the arse for the Banjos leading into game 2.

I guess the scary thing for the Banjos (hoping that Dubber complacency doesn't set in) is that NSW can be better. Pearce's kicking game was rubbish. I'd hand that responsibility to Jimmy Maloney. And the Brayne Drayne's right side defence was poor. Luckily he had Brett Morris covering his arse.

Pretty sure Billy just booked his spot with a MOTM performance against the Knights.

He's now only 3 tries behind Beaver Menzies for second on the all time tries list.

Should never have been overlooked.

The minute Thurston's name is announced this "blues dynasty" will make like cheap suits. Slater will just be the icing on the cake.

Yeah, the "Blues dynasty" crap made me gag. One win and the rags are going overboard.

So will the usual script play out here? Qld to win a nailbiter tonight then smash us in the decider?

Hope so. It's nice to be able to monetarily back them for a change.

"Phurt, we'll smash 'em" replaced with "I hope"??!! Maybe times are changing?

Still humbled by backing Scotland, who I thought were a stretch into the Maori who I thought were way over. But if it'll restore your faith, Qld by 6 tries.

I too have an overwhelming sense of dread that the toads will get up.

Immense 1st Half of footy.

Blues forwards have been unstoppable, particularly Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell and Aaron Woods. Jake Trboyevic had immediate impact off the bench, setting up Mitchell Pearce's try to give the Blues a 10 point HT lead.

Jimmy Maloney made up for 2 silly early penalties to set up the try to give NSW the lead.

Some outstanding late last ditch defence by the Blues maintained the 10 point gap.

So far Kronk and Thurston have had no answers, and JT's shoulder looks dodgy.

Let's see what the 2nd Half gives us. 16-6 to NSW at Oranges.

This State of Origin caper

It's a lot like supporting Richmond

Jeez I farkin hate Qld's never say die attitude. Just lie down you bastards!!!!

Ugh, 1-1 going to Suncorp. Qunts.

BTW, farkin Hayne cost us the match.

You. Farking. Beauty.

WTF was that from NSW in the second half?

JGK wrote:You. Farking. Beauty.

WTF was that from NSW in the second half?

Arrogance and amnesia

Indeed. "We've done enough, let's just hold the margin". Sigh.

Need I remind you that Jarryd Hayne cost us the match? Quntish showpony.

Fantastic match. Very excited Mrs L; she goes a bit silly when Queensland performs that well.

Thurston is a legend.

lardbucket wrote:Fantastic match. Very excited Mrs L; she goes a bit silly when Queensland performs that well.

Thurston is a legend.

So do you play the Mark Coyne try in 1994 as part of foreplay?

Spot on Embee. Tiger coach Hardwick surely inspires the Blues' tactics.

You know there's that rather silly saying (until last night) "could be beat you with one arm tied behind my back".

JGK wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Fantastic match. Very excited Mrs L; she goes a bit silly when Queensland performs that well.

Thurston is a legend.

So do you play the Mark Coyne try in 1994 as part of foreplay?

Haven't - but it's a good idea.

You know in any other game Gagai's would've been talked about forever, but oh no. Coyne and the boys really screwed it up for everyone else.

JT gawn for season

"Johnathan Thurston will be robbed of his State of Origin farewell with a shoulder injury ruling the Maroons No.6 out of next month's decider and the rest of the season.

It will leave the North Queensland Cowboys talisman stranded on 299 NRL games - he was due to chalk up his 300th on a night of celebration against the Panthers on Saturday night - until 2018.

In a huge blow for Queensland and the Cowboys' title aspirations, Thurston will require surgery on a shoulder injury that restricted his performance in game two - joining Darius Boyd (broken thumb) as notable omissions from the Maroons line up for game three."

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Some hope for the Blues after badly blowing a cast iron chance to seal the series in Game 2.

I'd be picking him even if one of his arms was severed ...