MrCharisma said:
Fact: Sherwin will never play Origin
Why?
Look at the long list of great halfbacks. You've got Johns and Kimmorely who are experienced as hell but soon will retire. Then you've got Craig Gower who owns the position followed by up and comers like Matt Orford, Matt Head and Brett Finch.
You need Wing. His utility value is always under-rated. He's the Chris Flannery of NSW but far better. Always impressive in every position his played and a real dynamo in the centres. He's the perfect replacement for Buderus when he gets tired
I agree that Sherwin will probably never play Origin, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be there.
Gower is one of the best club half backs, but he goes missing in the big games. Come finals and rep games Gower does not rise to the occasion, same with Anasta, same with Scott Hill. Hopefully Gower's rep career is over, he just doesn't make the grade.
Melbourne will never win the Premiership while the Dogs are still in it. A huge factor in that is Sherwin's dominance over Orford. Orford is a fantastic half-back, but Sherwin has his measure. While Sherwin is fit and available he should always be picked ahead of Orford.
Brett Firman, Matty Head, Todd Carney are all coming through, but they lack the experience and are yet to show the ability of Sherwin. No doubt they have the potential to challenge in years to come.
Brett Kimmorley, like him or not, is the only player who has proven himself at both club and rep level in John's absence. In Sherwin's case he simply has not been given a chance, but Kimmorley has proven himself when given the chance and earnt the right to be chosen ahead of him.
John's deserves all the credit he gets for his ability and even if his form doesn't get back to that of 2001 it will be hard to argue that he does not deserve selection. It will be interesting to see if Kimmorley, or even Sherwin, can show enough to overcome Johns reputation.
