Opinion NSW halves dropping like flies. The bleak outlook.

[Mr Invisible]

This weekend has been a bloodbath for potential NSW Origin hopefuls.

That is... assuming that clubs aren't playing up injuries to avoid their players being picked. As far as I know there is no requirement to make a player available for origin duties though.

Luke Keary - Out of Origin with concussion.
Mitchell Pearce - Out of Origin with groin strain.
Adam Reynolds - Out of Origin with suspected broken foot.

That leaves the following potentials for SOO (based on halves named this week in NRL):

Not enough experience
Jarome Luai - only 9 games into NRL career.
Cade Cust - only 1 game into NRL career.
Jai Field - only 7 games into NRL career.
Kyle Flanagan - only 5 games into NRL career.
Jack Cogger - unlikely despite 27 NRL games.

Way too inconsistent / average / not good enough
Will Smith - unlikely.
Tyrone Roberts - unlikely.
Sam Williams - unlikely.
Chad Townsend - unlikely.

Not primarily a halves player / will play in another position
Latrell Mitchell - likely to be picked in centres.
John Asiata - unlikely.
Jack Wighton - unlikely.

Players I DO NOT rate, but may be considered
Mitchell Moses - *sigh*
Luke Brooks - *sigh*
Nathan Cleary - way out of form and completely devoid of any attacking prowess.

The only players I would consider for SOO (that aren't injured)
Blake Green - potentially.
Cody Walker - has to be there.

I sadly reckon the moronic selectors will pick Nathan Cleary, and know how fucked in the head they are, probably partner him with Brooks or Moses.

PersonallyI'd be interested to see them run with Walker and Green.

 

[Roll the Bones]

Cody Walker certainty. Not sure after that. I think they'll pick Cleary for reasons only known to them.

 

[Legend23]

Surely keary cant be out for 2 weeks with a concussion

 

[Scoooby]

Cody walker is a MUST, he’s been doing some great things, and I guess they will pick Cleary, if keary now out.. !! seems the most logical. Only other would be Townsend, but unlikely lol.

 

[belmore_utd]

Cleary being the incumbent and the only fit half left with Origin experience should be picked even disregarding the Fitler handshake agreement bs.

He wont be the same player behind a pack that isn't getting dominated week in week out and Cook will take the pressure off.

Cleary/Walker or Townsend/Walker imo

Need a player with a decent long kicking game and is able to feed Tedesco, Walker and Mitchell early ball all night.

We don't need Cleary or whoever is hb to be worried about laying on points.

Edit* Townsend is massively underrated imo

 

[Mr Invisible]

Surely keary cant be out for 2 weeks with a concussion

It's his second major concussion and third HIA this season, so with NRL Concussion protocol (and past issues), that puts him out for 2 weeks regardless.

 

[GrogDog]

Hehehehehehehe

 

[Moedogg]

Maloney Cleary time to test this qld loyalty crap.

 

[Raysie]

Have we just completely forgotten James Maloney exists? Yeah he's out of form with Cleary, but the problem at the Panthers goes much deeper than the halves.

 

[COVENS]

Wouldn't be surprised if this is the reason that Maloney and Cleary get picked

 

[Mr Invisible]

Have we just completely forgotten James Maloney exists? Yeah he's out of form with Cleary, but the problem at the Panthers goes much deeper than the halves.

Was only basing it on halves available / playing this week.

 

[Moedogg]

 

[GoTheDoggies]

Maloney & Cleary will be the halves

Good thing Pearce got injured at the last minute otherwise he'd definitely be in under Fittler.

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Groin strain my ass, you can't tell me Pearce wouldn't be fit to play if selected. Without Keary the best options is;
6. Walker
7. Pearce
Hopefully this is the way they go... but yeah I expect Cleary to get the nod.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

The halves are Walker and Cleary

 

[Raysie]

The halves are Walker and Cleary

I dont mind that to be honest.

 

[speedy2460]

Why doesnt Jack Cogger get a start?

 

[Mr Invisible]

Reynolds cleared of major injury and now back in the running.

 

[bowleggedwog]

Have to go with the best combo. Reynolds Walker or Cleary Maloney . Game 1 is a must win and game 1 is always the worst attacking. Massive advantage going with combos.

 

[Mr. Ditkovich]

Has to be Reynolds and Walker based on this season.