Rooster veteran Mitchell Aubusson has put his hand up to play at centre for NSW in this year's Origin series.
With several preferred options either injured or out of form, the 31-year old could be the answer for Brad Fittler's team.
Currently in career-best form, Aubusson said it would be a dream come true to put on the Blues jersey.
"It is everyoneโs dream to play in that arena," Aubusson told the Sydney Herald.
"If it did come along, I would take it with both hands, prepare and go after it like I would any other opportunity that I would get."
He went on to say that he prepares for every game like its his last.
"I like to be thorough in my preparation every week because I am never really sure where I am going to end up," Aubusson said.
"I make sure I know most of the plays or all the plays and our defensive structures.
"I back that and just try to put my own spin on that position. If I replace Latrell, I am not going to be Latrell. There is only one guy like that."
Aubusson is notorious for putting in extra sessions, with only James Tedesco, Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary doing more video work to study an opponent.
"It is my role as an NRL player to make sure that I am well educated on what is coming up and I want to nail it," he said.
"That is what has kept me in the league for a long time and hopefully it keeps me in the league a bit longer."
My Team For Game 1
1. Tedesco
2. Ferguson / Cotric
3. Mitchell
4. Croker
5. Addo Carr
6. Keary
7. Reynolds / Green
8. Klemmer
9. Cook
10. Campbell Gillard
11. Cordner
12. Frizzel
13. Murray
14. Sims / Crichton
15. Trbojevic
16. Vaughan
17. Radley
Plenty Of Roosters To Keep Woody Happy ๐
Come on The_Greatest_Game_Of_All what about Aubussonโโโโ. He is at the very least a perfect bench man with his unique ability to cover Centre, 5/8, Lock, second row and Hooker. Surley he is the first bloke picked.๐ช๐๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ
I’m not sure about the first bloke picked Woody, but he must be 1 of, if not the most under rated player in the comp. (by non Roosters supporters at least), and I agree, he’s the perfect bench man as you put it.
Aubisson?
This has to be a stitch up.
This belongs in the zero tackle joke section.
Aubisson said this as a joke given all the injuries and this journo took it seriously.
Woodchip fell for it as well.
Green?
Campbell -Gillard?
Woody, He Has Been A Solid Player Throughout His Career & Would Do His Job Well If Picked! (Could Be Even Worthy Of A Bench Spot) But I’d Have Radley For That Extra Spark & Aggression.
Relating To This Article For The Centre Spot I Reckon Croker Because He Is A Natural Centre Who Is In Form, A Goal Kicking & Point Scoring Machine (1850 Dust Far In First Grade) & Has Played Representative Footy In The Past.
Would Be Interesting To See Your Team List For Game 1 ๐
Aubusson is the perfect fit for Origin. The so called footy experts are tipping Murray to debut but that is ridiculous when you have the best utility player in the comp playing at his peak. Aubusson deserves a bench place Murray and Radley need to serve their apprenticeship in the NRL before either are picked.
Trbojevic and Finucane deserve first crack and second crack at lock ahead of the 40 game rookie Murray. Wake up NSW SELECTORS.๐ช๐๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ
The defending premiers and current competition leaders and favorites deserve to get 7 players in the NSW team. Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Keary, Coyd Bordner (C), Aubusson, Crighton, and just maybe if required Radley for his versatility in playing 5/8, hooker, lock and Second row. ๐ช๐๐โโโโโโโโ
I’m obviously not Woody, but I’ll take a shot at it.
For mine, it comes down to, do you run 4 forwards off the bench, or 3 and a back up for the backs?
If you go with 3 forwards and a back up, then Aubusson’s not really in contention.
If you’re running 4 forwards, well maybe, but probably not, and certainly not the highest on the list.
If you run a “hybrid”, he’d be my pick.
Kelby, Green Is Definitely An Option But Not Necessarily First Choice! If You Look At His Career As Of Late, He Has Been Very Consistent Like Aubusson. He Won A GF With Wigan, Also Made The Finals With Melbourne, Manly & NZ Respectively Since His Return.
He Could Partner Keary Very Well In The Halves, Playing A Role Similar To Which He Has Done With DCE, Johnson & Cronk. Campbell Gillard Is There As First Choice Because He Played Well In Game 1 Last Year. Only Missing The Rest Of The Series Due To Injury & Isn’t Entirely To Blame For The So Called (Chocolate Soldiers) Current Form. ๐
Dylan Walker is available again….he’s a right side center
Regardless of the fact that one player canโt be to blame for a teams performance. RCG must take some of the responsibility….. he isnโt running as hard as he used to, isnโt hitting as hard as he used to, isnโt applying pressure on the kickers like he used to. He wouldnโt be in my blues side thatโs for sure.
And this is coming from a proud Panthers supporter
Considering Radley over Murray?
What have you been watching?
Clown.
History shows that if you play for Canberra, you won’t be picked for origin unless your a Queenslander ie Papalli. NSW simply don’t select Raiders players even if it’s warranted. Leilua has been centre of the year a few times, nil selection. Croker along with Leilua in 2016 was in blistering form and demanded selection…nope. And Blake Austin in 2015…well…arguably was the best player in the nrl at that point. Still nothing…
So Cotric, Croker and Wighton won’t be selected. It just won’t happen…but
IMO its a positive as the Raiders will only benefit from it.
I’ve been watching souffffs and they woth zmurray ate ordinary ๐คก๐คก๐คก๐คก๐คก๐คก๐คฃ๐ ๐๐๐คฃ
Agreed. RCG is far from playing at a level that is worthy of representative selection. I used to be a massive fan and would have loved to have seen him at Parra, but he just hasn’t returned from injury the same player.
Doesn’t Croker play the same side of the field as Mitchell? Is he able to play the other side?
Wighton won’t be selected because he isn’t good enough, not because he is from Canberra. Cotric might be your best chance, but probably has a couple ahead at this stage.
Just because Aubusson is on $850K a year at the rorters doesn’t mean the salary matches the ability to play at Origin level.
Aubusson goes well when the team is on top and he is one of the first to pump his chest.
When the team is under pressure he is also one of the first to crack and go missing as we witnessed in R1.
If Fittler is looking outside the box like last year he could do worse than picking Bronson Xerri.
The kid is only 19 but is destined for superstar status from what I’ve seen so far.
Compared to Aubusson he is a natural centre, twice the speed, bigger, stronger and will go 80 minutes at 100% effort.
Could give Aubusson 20m start over 100m and beat him by 20m.
Aubusson has 50-60 tackles to his name, and scored a try in that round 1 clash. He probably was the best rooster on the field after Friend that day. He also isnโt a noted boaster, unlike John Sutton – a very overrated player at that.
The fact that you suggested Xerri is ridiculous. In his first few games, he has shown to be a terrible defender, and known for his butterfingers. He has been average since appearing in first grade, and overhyped. NSW could do worse than picking Xerri is like James Roberts. Doesnโt deserve to be in the NSW team, and only really has speed
*than picking Aubo
Murray has played better than Radley this year, and deserves to be picked over him for SOO
The lover boys ๐๐๐ Steve ๐ & ๐ Syd ๐ are too busy watching each other than watching the footy. As you can see jior1800 their math knowledge of the game is way out of wack. Everybody and anybody who knows there football knows that Aubusson is yhr logical player to fill in for centre, 5/8, lock, second row and hooker. The bloke is an expert and has been doing it for Sydney since 2007.
He has played 275 gqames for the Roosters and played in 3 grand finals in 2010, 2013, 2018 winning two Premierships and two World Club Championships. He is a hole runner and a brilliant defender. Logical pick๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐๐
Greenblooded, If Rep Selection & Injuries Don’t Canberra Affect During The Origin Period, I Can See Them Really Consolidating That Top 4 Position & Possibly Pushing Higher Up The Table.
Sticky & The Pommies Are Going Well Dust Far Especially Hodgson & Bateman! ๐
Westie4Life, Eels47, Fair Enough ๐ Although Penrith In General, Have Been The Most Disappointing Side I Have Watched This Year. (Besides Brisbane) Which Is A Shame Given There Roster & Performances In Recent Seasons!
I’d Really Thought They Would Push For The Top 6 With Ivan Cleary’s Return & A Good Mix Of Youth / Experience Across The Park. There Is Along Way To Go But Something Has To Change.