The Brisbane Hairdressers poor form seemed to have coincided with the loss of Ben Hunt and the return of Ezra Mam. Saturdays effort was very impressive with the return of Reece Walsh, although Kotoni Staggs was the star of the show. I wish the Blues had room for him somewhere.
They started as well as they did in the Bulldogs game. Notably in both games things went their way in the first half. Will they continue to squib it when adversity is against them?
Now the Moroons have selected Ezra Mam but have ignored Reece Walsh. I wouldn't want to be playing in the same team as Mam, he should be in gaol.
However, the Moroons have finally woken up and selected Kurt Capewell again. Why was he ever dropped? One of the games best forwards, he's been excelling at centre for the Wahs ... and the Moroons need something to counter Crichton and Mitchell in the centres. Toia played strong in Game 1 but he's about 5 years away in experience to confront the Blue two. It should be Holmes and Capewell.
Coates and the Hammer should be on the wing. Holmes and the Hammer should interchange in kick bomb defence/attack situations.
DCE hasn't been in good form but experience is everything in these games. Munster has been largely ineffectual for sometime. Dearden plays for Australia FFS, it should be DCE and Dearden in the halves. You can't expect much from any half when their forwards don't give them the go forward.
Now who steps up as captain for the Moroons? Is there anyone with an above 100IQ other than DCE? Herman Munster??? I doubt it.
I think Collins is past his "use by" date and Loiero was never any good. Kurt Mann too small at this level.
I think Harry Grant copped a concussion early in Game 1. I would expect a marked improvement but again, only if his forwards give him adequate go forward.
Dylan Edwards is a great, safe player but having a fully fit Tom Trboyevic is an automatic selection in any team, IMHO.
The NSW pack is faultless but no Mitch Barnett is a loss. Haumole Olakau'atu is a must selection. I'd start Max King and move Young to blind side prop when Olakau'atu comes on from interchange.
Of course, the match up I'm looking forward to seeing is Spencer Leniu vs Ezra Mama. Crush him Spencer! If you get sent off, take out Jonathon Thurston too on the sideline.
