Despite being more than a month away, attention seems to be firmly fixed on the upcoming Origin series.
After every single game reports suggest player A is ready for Origin and that player B isn’t. Laurie Daley has made a fine art of making comments about Origin that upset those on social media.
Following the efforts of the Dragons and Tigers over the weekend, attention seems to have turned to hoping that their star players miss Origin selection.
If I’m a Tigers fan, I’m hoping Daley overlooks Tedesco for the Origin series. The Tigers started the season well but have faltered massively over the past three weeks.
Tedesco aside, they look lost at times. They’ve dropped games to the two wooden spoon favourites the Knights and Tigers, with their star man at the back, and playing well.
I shudder to think how they will play sans their superstar fullback over the Origin period.
The same can be said for the Dragons. Josh Dugan ran from over 320 metres on Thursday Night, making two line breaks and five tackle busts in the process.
The Dragons, who haven’t scored a single point in the past fortnight, have only scored the 40 points all season. I feel bad for rubbing it in, but that is less than half the points scored by either the Roosters or Knights.
I can’t see how the Dragons find a regular way to the try line even with Dugan making breaks and metres for fun.
If reports are to be believed, Daley is considering bringing Penrith fullback Matt Moylan into the fold, possibly with a view to a position switch into the halves.
I have to wonder how Panthers fans feel having just got their star fullback back, only to hear he could be missing due to Origin selection, in a foreign position too no less.
It’s fair to assume Sharks fans aren’t looking forward to losing their fit again skipper in Paul Gallen for three games of the harshest possible football possible.
Considering his injury history, I’m sure the Sharks can do without Gallen copping 240 metres of big hits and everything else that comes along with Origin football.
As for South Sydney, their main man Greg Inglis looks to be playing injured. Every week fans of the red and green hold their breath as Inglis seeks treatment.
How can they possibly enjoy Origin seeing Inglis cart the ball up to be met by three or four players tasked with belting and flooring him in an effort to force a mistake?
Even being linked to Origin selection can have an adverse effect on the form of players. Last week Laurie Daley pretty much ruled out Canberra pair Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin due to their lack of big game experience.
Although the Eels played very well, I can’t see much positive emanating from Daley’s comments for the mentalities of either Raiders halves.
Of course fans want their players to succeed and I doubt too many would begrudge their stars an Origin spot, and the payday that comes along with selection.
The Origin experience can have a hugely positive affect on players. Prior to his Origin selection, Dogs prop David Klemmer was a decent player, but he matured in a big way after wearing the sky blue and has been far more intimidating ever since.
Aaron Woods, despite being only 25 year-old has forged a reputation as an Origin enforcer and he, and the Tigers, have benefited as a result.
Players and fans look to him for inspiration that his experience in the Origin arena has afforded him.
I’m scared to think just how scary that Broncos backline will become should Oates and Roberts play Origin this season.
If they can escape unscathed from the high pressure games, they’ll have gained invaluable experience well beyond their years.
But, is that experience worth the risk of injury and the two months of disruption their selection will cause to the squad?
This is one of those rare times where I am not asking a rhetorical question, and would genuinely like to hear your thoughts below.
Tigers fans, how do you feel about the possibility of losing Tedesco over the Origin period? Does that end your team’s hopes of finals football?
Dragons fans, where do points come from should Dugan be selected as expected?
Sharks fans, will Gallen playing Origin affect his availability during the run in to the finals as it has the past few years?
Storm fans, how does it feel each year losing your three best players despite having a large percentage of salary cap tied up in those players?
Which do you prefer? An Origin victory or a premiership?
Perhaps the Queensland Origin bans handed down are a blessing in disguise to those clubs affected.