The Short Ball
The Short Ball podcast is a weekly podcast that talks about the future stars of the game of rugby league, covering everything from schoolboy footy to NSW cup in both the mens and womens game.
The Short Ball
#45 - Origin u19s predicted lineups
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MY predicted lineups for origin u19s for both NSW & QLD
IG - Theshortball_
Gentlemen, welcome back to the short ball podcast for another week. This episode will be diving straight into my origin under 19th predicted lineups for both New South Wales and Queensland. The game's obviously on the 18th of June. So about a month away, but um I'll typically do a uh podcast like this about a month leading into it, um just because after SG Ball and uh Mount Mega Cup grand finals on the weekend as well, so those seasons both coming to an end. So I've got a pretty decent idea um of who the top talent is in the age group, and obviously some have already been playing New South Wales Cup and Jersey Flag and whatnot. There will most likely be changes over the next month. There's going to be guys coming in and out of form, guys getting injured, etc. But um, yeah, I'm just gonna put together a team that I think um I'd pick at the moment, uh go through a couple positional battles, stats that I have on hand, um, and just go from there. But we'll start off with New South Wales coming off the first loss in this format last season. Um, they won the first three instalments of Origin under 19s, um, and then last year uh Javon Andrews obviously won on that final 20-minute spurt that he did um to win that game and um for for Queensland and that ended up 23-22 in a cracking game. So hopefully another game of that same sort of standard, but this time New South Wales gets a dub. Um I'm not sure how I'm gonna do this, whether I name what my predicted lineup is, or just go sort of through my positional battles first. I might go through my positional battles first. Um, one key position battle at fullback, um, and a lot of people have got a lot of differing thoughts on this. Um my top two fullbacks, and I think one of these two guys has to be the fullback, so either Rex Bathingswaite or it's Cameron Bamblett. Uh Cameron Bamblett's obviously the incumbent Australian schoolboys fullback. Um Rex Bathingswaite, he just won the um he just won the SG Ball player of the match in the grand final um and won the SG Ball competition and has played flag. He played NRO trials at the start of the year. He's done a lot of really um good things this season, Rex Bathingswaite. And um I think you know it it's between those two. If you look at their numbers, Rex didn't play the full SG Ball season, he only got three matches in during the regular season. 161 average run meters, four line break involvements, three try involvements, 15 tackle breaks, so five tackle breaks a game, only the one error. And then Cameron Bamblett, Australian schoolboy, you know, he highly accomplished over the last sort of 24 months, nine matches in SG Ball, 124 average run meters, 12 line break involvements. So, you know, sort of at that similar clip to um to what Rex had, you know, if your times Rex's matches to match uh to level Cameron Bamblett's matches, they'd have the same amount of line break involvements. Um, and then 12 try involvements as well for Cameron Bamblett across those nine games, 36 tackle breaks, so four tackle breaks a game, um, just one less than what Rex had, and 13 errors across those nine matches. Um they're pretty evenly matched statistically. Rex has him covered when it comes to average run meters and errors as well, but you can't really compare their errors considering Rex had only played the three games and and um Bamblett played nine. Um, but for me, I think you've got a reward form in you know the top competitions in the age group and in SG ball like Rex Bathingswaite's final series. Um he he was awesome in both the prelim and the grand final. He he won the comp, he's done all these things, and um yeah, I think if he wasn't injured last year, he might have taken that Australian Schoolboys jersey as well. Um obviously he missed that. I think he I think it was a shoulder um that he did last season to sort of miss m the majority of the schoolboy um season um and missed the majority of the SG ball season as well. Um, you know, didn't get to play in that grand final last year, so um obviously got his chance to win it this year. And I think in terms of the under 19's age fullbacks, he's right up there uh at the very very top um across Australia, not just in New South Wales. So I think um he would be my guy there at fullback, um just over the top of Cameron Bamble. I can understand the people that are going with Bamblitz, um, but I I just think Rex is probably the better option there. Um okay, let's go to a back five or you know the outside backs rather, the wingers and centres. Now I don't have stats here for these positional battles, um, but I think probably the easiest choice in this entire um in this entire lineup is my two centres. I'm just going Dane Jennings and Toby Winter. Uh Toby Winter. Oh, I wanted him in last year for those of you that remember my podcast from last year talking about he was probably my biggest smokey in the lineup, but um he was a guy that I wanted in this side last year, and he's just continued to play really good footy. Uh he got his team into the SG Ball grand final as well this season. He's obviously a talented centre and fullback, um, but yeah, I think long term he's probably a centre, and I think um for this rep level with Rex Bath Swaede at the back, I think he's a good guy to put into that centre position. And then Dane Jennings, he's just been the best centre in SG Ball this season. Um I I don't think there's too much of a debate to that. Um, and what he's done over the course of you know the last 24 months in terms of his, you know, you've made the Australian schoolboys side, uh the things that he's done in SG ball, things that he's done at schoolboy level for you know Central Coast and whatnot. He's just a walking highlight real entertainment plus, and Toby Winter's a guy that you get him the ball inside the 20, he's gonna try and create something for you. I think that works out perfectly. Toby Winter left edge, Dane Jennings right edge. I think to me that just seems a very obvious pick. And the wings are where I had the wing positions are where I had a little bit of dramas in terms of you know selecting my my two wingers. I just wasn't quite sure who to go there. Um, you know, there wasn't major standouts this season in terms of in terms of, you know, they're really just dominating and like you know, with Dane Jennings and Toe Winter, they have to be the two guys there. There's nobody that's really put their put their hand up and gone, I have to be the guy there. Um But one that I um a guy that I rate really highly who doesn't really get the media raps or he doesn't get you know people just generally don't talk about him enough for for what he's done is Cooper Johnson um down at Canberra. He he did injure himself in Fleg over the weekend. I I'm trying to figure out how bad that was. It was a shoulder, I don't know if it's you know a long term or maybe just an AC joint injury or something like that, but um a month out from Origin 019s, it obviously isn't ideal, but you know, he he was about a 140 average run meters this season, an SG ball, you know one of the most exciting attacking plays in the competition. Um lightning quick. I I think he's a guy who's who's really slept on, and I thought he was stiff not to be in that Australian schoolboys frame last year as well. Um very stiff, actually. Like he is a little bit of a thinner frame in terms of physicality-wise, I don't know, but uh I feel like speed goes underrated for how much it it counts for. Like if you you can skin someone off and go on, that's a try. You find someone who's quick in an open space, they're gone. It's like, yeah, it's all good and well to be big, physical, strong, powerful, all those sorts of things, but like the amount of points just raw speed can get you in in rugby league is insane. And he's a guy who's certainly got that. Um, you know, he plays a lot of fullback for Cambrai, he can play on the wing as well, he's played a lot of wing over the last sort of 24 months. He he's you know, Jersey Fleg played really well in Jersey Fleg last year. He's already stepped up to Jersey Flag this uh season as well after another you know solid SG ball campaign that probably didn't go quite the way they wanted it to. They missed the top eight, and you know, if they'd made the top eight, his claim would be a lot louder, and uh I think a lot more people would would be aware to what he's been doing in the age group, but he's one winger for mine, I think. And the other wing, I I find it very interesting um to see what happens with Macassini because obviously if he is able to play this game, then he will. Uh he's probably one of the best players in the age group. Um, you know, he's up there, you know, playing NRL week in, week out. Um over the first sort of um six weeks of the competition, he's then um not featured for the Tigers of late. Um it might be interesting if Benji just goes, hey, you work on your game, because he did have that um pretty shocking game a couple of weeks ago in first grade. Hey, just go back, work on your game, go back, get some confidence up play. Original 19 to get that experience. Um, because you are allowed to have a player that's got NRL experience. Um, I think they've actually got a cap on it that you can only have one, but uh which seems a little bit ridiculous to me, but um you know that's just something I've heard, it's not you know something that's officially out there or anything, but um yeah, he he would be my guy on the wing there, um, Cooper Johnson on one wing, and then Makassini on the other wing. But if Maccassini's not playing, I think the guy I'd probably go with just looking across the wingers. Uh I think a guy with a lot of upside um in that wing position, tall, athletic, uh, quick, good under the high ball, all these sorts of things, doesn't come up with too many errors either. Um, and put in another good season in SG ball despite a team that again didn't make the top eight was Wesley Popalia Four. Um yeah, I don't know. I I just think in terms of wingers, he's probably got the most, you know, physical upside, the you know, probably the most raw potential um out of any of the wingers in in the SG ball competition at the moment. He's playing school boys for Bass. Uh, he's done so for the last three years or so now. Um, and he's done really good things at the Bulldogs over the last couple of years in junior reps in sides that haven't been going all that well. He's still shown plenty of promise. So um, you know, he'd be an age up in this contest. I don't know if he will get thrown into this side, but um, yeah, just looking at the wing stocks at the moment, he he's probably a guy that I'd have there. Um the halves. Let's go into the halves now for New South Wales. Um halfback, I I've nailed it down to three people. I I added a fourth in Chase Butler on a post that I did earlier today. Um but in terms of I I think he's probably next year, Chase Butler for him, still an age up. And you know, he put he put in a really good season in SG Ball. Um, but yeah, I just don't think this year's his year to to claim that jersey, but he'll get his fair chance next year. Um my top three were Carter Marico, Jack Thompson, Lincoln Fletcher. Carter Marico, I'm about to make the case for him, and if you know, if you don't think he's gonna be the seven after hearing this case, um uh I don't know sort of where where you're going, but um SG Ball player of the year, straight away. It didn't help Lorenzo last year, which was ridiculous, but um yeah, Lorenzo didn't even make the squad last season after being the SG Ball player of the year, so clearly that doesn't matter too much to the eyes of the selectors, but um, you know, he's under 18s at the moment, he's still an age up, but SG Ball player of the year, regardless. Um, nine matches, 38 average run meters, 204 average kick meters, 19 line break involvements in nine games, 22 try involvements in nine games, 22 tackle breaks, 91.9% tackle efficiency, and nine errors. Um, he's a great defensive half physical, he's a he's a bigger body, he's got a great kicking game on him, and that you know, 22 try involvements in nine matches, ridiculous. I don't care how good his side was, that's still an incredible feat. Um, you know, obviously I had Elijah Berbay as my player of the year in SG Ball through my 3-2-1 system. Um, but I you know, I'm not gonna push back too hard on Catamarico winning it, you know, when you win that uh award, when you're an age up in a company, you're obviously a very, very good player. He won Howard Matthews player of the year last year. I just think when he when he won that award, I I think that's had to have locked him into that seven jersey. Then you've got you know Jack Thompson, he's been playing reserve grade, he's played NRL trials, jersey flag, or like he's playing up, um, which counts for a lot, and it has counted for a lot traditionally with these under 19 sides. You know, the guys that are playing cup are more likely to get picked over the guys playing SG ball. Um, whether that's fair or not, I'll let you be the judge of that. But um, yeah, Jack Thompson, five matches in reserve grade, five try assists, 87% tackle efficiency. His defense is fine, he has been caught out a couple of times. Um, and you know, he had to defend next to Bishop Neal, um, two 17-year-olds or 17 slash 18-year-old in a couple of games earlier in the season as well, where they got skinned a little bit. Um, but you know, he typically a a pretty solid defender, a little bit of a smaller body than Mariko is, but um still putting in solid performances in reserve grade, putting great performances in Jersey flag. Um, if he was playing SG ball, he'd probably be one of the premier players in that competition, too. He was elite in Howard Matthews two years ago when he won the comp for the New Zealand Warriors that year. Um he's a guy who's right up there. I think it's you know between Marico and Thompson in my eyes. The third guy who's got to be in the equation because he wasn't Australian schoolboy is Lincoln Fletcher. Um, in SG ball, six matches, 39 average run meters, nine line break involvements, nine try involvements, 147 average kick meters, ten tackle breaks, 90.7 tackle percent uh tackle efficiency and three errors. Um so Carter Marico's numbers in SG ball pretty pretty clear. Um, you know, Lincoln Fletcher's obviously played three less matches, but the the discrepancy in terms of try involvements and whatnot, and um tackle breaks and and all these sorts of things is pretty large. Um but yeah, he is an Australian schoolboy, he is a high quality player, he is also injured at the moment as well. Um it says on the Parry Hills website he won't be back till round 13. I don't fully believe that um because the parryels website said peasant and samurai, and that weren't meant to be back till round 13 as well, and they came back round nine. Um but yeah, he is injured at the moment, he he could be um late, a late returner in terms of pushing for that origin under 19 spot. So I just think he's probably fallen out of the picture in the last month or so with that injury and with what Mariko has gone on to achieve and with what Jack Thompson's been doing in reserve grade and Jersey flag and whatnot. Um my selection there would be Catamarico, as you would probably have imagined by the way I was speaking about that um comparison. And you know, Jack Thompson was going to be my guy for a long, long time, and then um, you know, the the more the SG ball season went on, the more like I was messaging people going, geez, Catamarico could be getting a lot closer and a lot closer. And um, you know, I got to about finals time. I think after he put in that clinic against the Melbourne Storm in week one of finals, I started to really consider it, and then um as soon as he won SG Ball player of the year on the weekend, it was just like, yeah, okay, it's done. He he's gonna be the seven. So um Catamarico, my seven, and then at six, there is another positional battle here that I've gone into a little bit more detail with onatoni large versus Taj Alvarez for the six jersey. Um, you know, eight eight matches for Onatoni Large, 111 average run meters, good runner of the footy, 14 line break involvements, eight try involvements, 22 tackle breaks, 83.8% tackle efficiency, and four errors. Taj Alvarez, seven matches, 105 average run meters, so slightly less run meters, um, 13 line break involvements, one less, um, 17 try involvements, 12 tries, um, which is a huge um number in favor of Taj Alvarez. 30 tackle breaks, 82.9% tackle efficiency, and nine errors. What I get from those numbers, it sort of supports what my eye has told me about these two guys all year is Anatonio Large, probably a little bit silkier. He's probably a bit um, you know, stronger physically in terms of a uh in terms of ball running. Taj Alvarez is quicker, good support player, um, scores a lot of tries straight. He's got a good kick chase. You know, Taj Alvarez has double the errors, but he does have a lot of errors going up for high balls and contesting an attack. So that doesn't concern me too much. Defensively, they're pretty similar. Um I'd probably give the point to Ana Tony Large defensively just um, but you know, they're not too dissimilar defensively. Um it is that 12 tries, that is probably the only stat, which is a huge discrepancy um between the two, um, and that does go in favour of Taj Alvarez, but I I just think Anatoni Large has got that um that sort of X factor, well, not X factor because Taj Alvarez probably has that as well. Uh just that class and composure about him, I guess. That you know, he he comes up with a lot of um big plays throughout games. Um, you know, in the finals, he he beat Taja Alvarez in week one of SG ball finals as well. Come up with a couple of huge defensive plays in that game. Um when he runs the ball, he's just silky, he can find that gap. His ball playing is probably better than Taj Alvarez's. Um, you know, whereas Taj, as soon as there's a breakdown in the defense, he goes and he's so quick he can take advantage of that. Um and you know, he he Taj Avarez is the one that's got that X factor about him where he can create points out of um out of any kind of broken player whatsoever, and he can, you know, he can get down on a kick chase and and cause an issue there. Whereas that's not really a trade of on Antony Large's uh on a Tony Large probably has the better kicking game. Um he he does have a very good kicking game on Atoni Large, um whereas Taj Avros probably doesn't have that to the same extent. Um he he's you know Isaac Fotsumaila was doing the majority of the kicking for South Sydney, and Taj Avroz was the one on the kick chases there, so it's a very good comparison, and they're both very similar statistically. I'm leaning towards on Atoni Large, like I said, I just think he's got that class and composure about him, and um he comes up with big plays, both sides of the ball, defence and attack, and um you know I'm leaning him just but you can't go wrong with either of these two in the team. Um, and I wouldn't blame anyone who's got Taj Alvarez there ahead of um on Atoni Large because they've both got their own sort of appeal, they're both you know different players, um, and they've both had stellar season in SG Ball this year. And you know, Taj Alvarez has an or had an awesome season in SG Ball last year, too. He's um a high try count there. He he does tend to stack them up, you know, when he gets one, he will typically get two or three. Um so yeah, that is a a good part to Taj Alvarez's game. Uh but I'll move on to the forward pack. Um, I won't break this down as much in terms of statistics and all that sort of thing. You can't really, you know, you can compare their run meters or whatnot, but you know, you can have 200 run meters and be a plotter, and you can have a hundred run meters, and each run is with venom and bending the lineback and creating quick play of the balls and ruck speeds and all that sort of thing. So I try not to do that as much. Um, but my my two front rowers starting, I I sort of deliberated over this a little bit, and I just went back to last year's City under 18 side to help me sort of determine who who will be there. And I think they'll go with Ryder Talungi and Christian Tapal Moores. Christian Tapal Moores was was there already for me. Um, I think he had a great season SG Ball and um damaging ball runner, good offloader, um close to the line of threat, and had a and had a good season. Then Ryder Talungi I I think with him he's had some really top performances in in SG Ball this year. He's had a couple of down performances as well. Um, the team was up and down, there was a lot of injuries as well, but um you know he was a city under 18 starting front rower, he's gone up to Flag and now and New South Wales Cup as well. He's got that experience at the higher level. Um, you know, I I don't know that he's had that game or that string of games where you've really gone wow yet with Ryder Tlungley, but you know, big physical, um, strong ball runner, good defensively, like he'll hit you. Um and he has done so on multiple occasions this season. Um you you just know that there's something there, potential-wise, with him, and um you know a lot of good judges have high raps on him, and being the city under 18s front rower last last year probably means that they're gonna um go with him in in New South Wales under 19s this year. And I said it, I said it last year as well. Like I when I was on my predicted lineups, I had him in my squad because I just thought he's gonna be a guy that's here next year, and um I'll I'll stick with that. So Ryder Talungi and Christian Tuppel Moores would be my two front rowers. Um, and you know, I say you know, whatever I guess negative quotation marks there about Ryder in terms of what it what it can be, um, you know, potential wise, is more so what I'm saying. Because he's a guy that's always had super big raps on him, he's an Australian schoolboy, he's done so many things in the game. Um, but I guess this year he he probably hasn't gone um to that level of being that dominant front rower in terms of every single time. You're watching him, you're like, oh, this is the the best prop in the age group, or this is an Australian school boy, New South Wales under 19s, or that sort of thing. But you know what's there with him, and he he has you know he hasn't been bad by any stretch of the means. Not a not bagging him out or not negative thing on him. I've got him starting my New South Wales under 19s lineup. It's just about um I was just a little bit unsure, and you know, he wasn't in my SG Ball team of the year, and I'll stick by that. I didn't think he was you know one of the best props in SG ball this season, um, in terms of from what I saw. Um, and you know, Christian Tupper Moores wasn't there, but he was right on the fringe of it for mine. Um and you know, there's guys in that SG Ball team of the year that you know the the two starting front rolls were both um Kiwis, so that's as well. You don't they don't have to compete with them here, but yeah, Ryder Salung and Christian Tupper Moores, my two front rollers. Number nine, number nine's going to be a very interesting battle. Um I've said all season I think Cody Hill's been the best nine in SG Ball, and um you know the numbers will back that up. Um and you know, defensively, very, very strong, probably the best defensive nine in the competition. Again, another thing that the numbers probably back up, and then even if you look at the the video and whatnot, and um you watch him play, he I I just think he's been the best nine in the age group this season. Um, there's a big push for Diesel Hagen as well. I think one of those two guys will start in this nine jersey. Um I think yeah, uh for mine, one of those two will most definitely start in this nine jersey. I think the 14 will be Ashton Large. Um I think you know, whichever one gets picked out of Cody Hill, Diesel Hagen. I think the other one misses out of the squad entirely. Um, you know, unless they go with one of them in a in a 19, or you know, there's an extended squad or whatnot. That's beside the point. Um, yeah, uh Cody Hill, he was the city uh city under 18's nine last year. Dieselhagen was the country under 18's nine. Um Dieselhagen put in a huge finals. That finals campaign is what really makes it a little bit tricky because Diesel Hagen got to the grand final with the Newcastle Knights and he's played New South Wales Cup and whatnot. Cody Hill's gone straight up to Jersey flag this weekend um after his SG ball campaign. So, you know, there's no there's not going to be a drama with him in terms of stepping up a level. Um, but yeah, I just think when I'm comparing the two and when I'm looking at the two, they've Diesel Hagen have wrapped the whole final series throughout the regular season. I thought Cody Hill was clearly the best nine in the competition. I I thought there was actually a gap there. Um it was Cody Hill, then Ashton Large, and then probably Diesel Hagen. But he didn't play the full season either, did Diesel. So um, you know, you can't hold that against him. And then during the finals, Cody Hill was still great, like his defensive work. I I think he made 40 tackles in the prelim final, and you when you watched him, he was physically strong, he was dominating contact, all those sorts of things. Um yeah, uh I don't know uh because you know what? Uh if I'm picking and you know, I'm picking this side, Cody Hill would be my number nine. Um wouldn't surprise me if Diesel Hagen's the guy starting there though. Um before I get myself too um bogged down in that conversation. My back rowers, the Australian School Boys back rowers, Phoenix Godney, Darcy Smith. Um I said last year that these two will probably be the guys um you know this year. And um Darcy Smith was a guy that I had in my side last year. I just think he's a highly quality back rower, and Phoenix Godenay, he probably had a down year in SG ball by his standards, um, but there's no doubting his class and his upside there, and um he's just a quality back rower. He's got New South Wales Cup experience from last year as well, and you know, played well enough in the NRL trials. And he he's a guy who um I I trust to do a job there, and then Thomas Dello as well, the Australian school boys back-to-back um lock forward there. He just goes straight in for mine as well. Um, Ashton Largema 14 already sort of spoke about that. I think he can offer heaps of impact off the bench with his leg speed and um running game. The other three forwards that have gone on the bench. Um a guy that's been playing New South Wales Cup and doing good things there, Roman Tuamau can cover back row and front row. Um, I'd probably use him off the bench, um, and you'll see why when I get to my jersey 17. I'll probably use him off the bench as that in that middle rotation. I just think he's you know strong, has a crack um good defensively, um, and he can cover back row if needed there. So I think that's a good option in Jersey 15. Atula Seve would be my 16. Um, his older brother played New South Wales under 19s a few years ago. I think he'll get his chance there. Um he was in the City 18s lineup last um year as well, so um I've got him there, and Chris Petris I've got at Jersey 17. Um I just think he's probably too good to miss out, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's a starting 11 over Phoenix Godnet, especially if you you know you're going off SG ball form. Um but uh yeah, I just like I said, I trust Phoenix Godnet's um upside, what he can do. You know, he's got good ball playing, great defender, and all that sort of thing, and Chris Patras, I think, can light a game up. He's got you know, he's very powerful, light footed, he's got a good kick chase in him, um, can go up for that high ball. I think he's a good option there in Jersey 17, and then my 18 and 19, two guys who um I I think deserve a spot in the squad. Um, you know, and cover two different positions there. But Taj Alvarez at Jersey 18, I just think he's too good not to be in the conversation and not to be there. And then Eddie Kalis at Jersey 19 um through the middle. I think um he he's been the best 13 in the competition SG ball this year, I think. Um, and you know, he gets through and wins the SG Ball grand final. He he his finals campaign was really good. Um leads the line space, leads line speed, leads kick chase, does all these um effort things. He's defensively got a pretty good work rate. Um, and then an attack, he's got a good offload on him, can create um things happening through the middle. Uh, so I like him in that squad there. Um that's my New South Wales team. I'll probably spend a little bit longer than I wanted to on that one. Um, obviously, like I said, the Queensland one, I can't go as in depth in in terms of the numbers and whatnot that I've got. And um, you know, I didn't watch every single game of Maum Manager Cup, but um what I can do is just sort of go through and comment on on what I've seen and um why I'm sort of picking certain plays in certain positions and um for Queensland, I think the fullback will be Seth Gundry. Um, I had Adam Quick's look there for a long time in terms of you know, I had a rolling um under 19s lineup that I've had for both um teams. Seth Gundry is in the emerging squad, so obviously he can play there. And um he he's Malmininger Cup, he played a couple of games and was um electric there. NRL Q for the Broncos, he's put in some outstanding performances um for them as well. I think he's a highly quality player. I I remember picking a Australian under-17s lineup two years ago just for a bit of mock content. I did an Australian and New Zealand under 17s and under-19s, and um Seth Gundry was my fullback in that under-17s lineup. I got a huge opinion of him. Um, you know, I'd like such a big opinion of him that I had Rex Bathingswaite at wing to accommodate Seth Gundry in that squad. Um so I think Seth Gundry at fullback for Queensland is my number one pick. In, you know, he's put in some huge performances this season in both Malminica Cup and NRL Q. So I trust that selection there. Um on the wings, Mel Nonu, he had a huge uh SG ball campaign. He was my winger of the year there. Um top try scorer, 18 line breaks. I think he ended up having throughout the season for 14 or 15 tries or whatever it was. So um yeah, he's got to be a guy that's there for mine. Obviously, um come down from Queensland to join the Newcastle Knights this year and um has done some really good things. Um C.S.I.A. Poese would be my other winger as well. Uh he's been killing it up there for South Logan Magpies. Uh I think he was at Kibra, uh whatever schoolboys side he played for. I remember him um carving up there, and then he's obviously played Queensland under 18s as well. Um so I think I'm pretty confident that selection as well. On the wing, I think will be Nonu and Puese. Um, you know, Puese was in the um emerging squad. I don't know if Mel Nonu was there or not, um, but I'm pretty sure he is eligible for Queensland. Um otherwise, that's you know, I I'm quite certain he's eligible for Queensland. I have spoken to a few people about and they said that he is. I think he's Victorian born, but then moved up to Queensland, something along those lines. Um, but yeah, I think those two would be my wingers, just based on form across you know, Malman Inga Cup, School Boys, um, and SG Paul for in Melbourne on whose case. Um, my two centres, I'd go with Brian Poigneau. I think he's a very uh talented centre at the Dolphins. He can play back role as well, but um you'll as you'll uh come to find out their forward pack is stacked this year. The uh Queensland side, so I'm very happy to have Poignew at centre. And my other centre would be Louis Lee from the Roosters. Uh, he did do a hamstring injury. I think he should be back before this side gets announced. And yeah, he's just a quality player for the Roosters over the last two seasons in their well, over the last three seasons, really, including Harold Matthews the year before. Just a strong ball runner. He kind of reminds me of Rob Toyer at that same age. He's coming through that same sort of mould, that centre. Um that's really destructive, one-on-one matchup and all those sorts of things. So those those would be that would be my back five. Seth Gundry, Mel Nonu, uh Brian Poignou, Louis Lee, and C.S. Puese. My halves, I've deliberated over this for a little bit, um, but I think you know, the lack of um a certain other position, which I'll get to in a second, has um sort of changed my mind with with what I do with my halves. And at six, I've gone with Taj Lateo. I think he's been doing really good things for the Cowboys and NRQ this season. He he's obviously done well with the Townsville Blackhawks, he's through to the grand final uh this weekend in Malmaninga Cup. So I like him at six there. Uh he was very good for Palm Beach Carumban as well over the last couple of years in schoolboy footy. I I think he's a pretty underrated player up there, and you know, when you're carving up or when you're playing really well in NROQ, and um he's got a combination with one of the back roles I'm gonna pick as well, having played together at in Townsville Blackhawks and um and uh and at the Cowboys NRL Q side. I just think you've got to reward that form, and you know, from what I've seen, I think he's gonna be capable enough to handle this level. Uh he was a Queensland under 18, schoolboys half last year or yeah, last year. Um so yeah, I'm I've gone with him at six, um, and I've moved my uh because originally I had Bervay at six and Watson at seven. I've moved Bervay to seven. Um so I've gone with a halves pairing of Tyslateo, Elijah Bervay. He was my SGB player of the year. I've got to have him there. Um I just think he's he's played very, very good footy um this season. And I think that combination with Tyslateo could work, you know. Tys Lateo, a bit bigger body, he's got a good kicking game, good running game out on that left edge, and then you can have Elijah Bervay playing right edge and just playing what he sees. Um, and I think that dynamic will really work for them. And um and Jersey nine, I sort of would have half-revealed it. Hayden Watson, um, you know, he was a number nine for the Burley Bears last year. I think he looks a little bit more naturally a number nine. Um he's done really well at seven this season for the Melbourne Storm, but I just think he the way he moves and he's and the way he passes the ball and all those sorts of things, and um, you know, he came off the bench into Jersey number nine last year for Queensland. I think number nine might end up being his best position. Um, but you know, you can make it work in seven or nine. Regardless, he'll be in this side, Hayden Watson, whether he starts at seven or whether he starts at nine. Um, but you know, Ezra Leota's the only other nine, I think, in that emerging squad. Um, unless there's somebody that just completely snubbed, but um he was he was there for mine. Um Jai Billish was another one who I wanted to have there, but I think he's New Zealand. Um so I don't think he's eligible for Queensland. Um but yeah, so I don't think Jai Billish is eligible for Queensland, but um yeah, so I just think Ezra Leoda's form hasn't been at that standard that he hit last year, especially during that schoolboys competition. I thought Ezra Leota was was stiff to not be in that Australian schoolboys side, him and Jai Billish, I thought were the two clear best number nines in the entire competition um in that carnival. Um but Hayden Watson, like I said, I think I'd trust in him as a as a number nine. I think that's probably going to be his best position. I think he'll be in this side regardless. He might even captain the side. Um, and yeah, I've got him there to accommodate for Taj Lateo being in the side. Um, so yeah, spot so six, seven, nine, Taj Lateo, Elijah Bervay, Hayden Watson. I I like that rotation personally. Um front row, Tupole Francis, Kobe Floro, um Tupol Francis. I don't feel overly comfortable having him in the front row, but I I feel less comfortable having Jackson Coiner in the front row. I I'd like both of them to start. I think they've both got very good work rates. Um I I think for mine I looked at this middle rotation and and sort of went, those are the three guys that I want. Francis Floro is in the side last year, and I think he's played good footy for the storm this year. Um and Jackson Coiner, he'd probably be one of my first picked um in this side, to be completely honest. And I think with Koiner, I just noted something with his game. I prefer him a lot at lock because he's got good ball playing, good work rate through the middle defensively. Um, you know, he's not that big barnstorming gonna crash crash over for big meters, and he's not gonna, you know, break heaps of tackles and offloads and all those things. Backfence carries, not exactly a strong suit. I think he runs very, very upright when you um when you watch, you know, sort of how he runs coming off the back fence. He got folded against the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago doing that. Um so I do prefer him at 13, and I just think he's the best 13 in this age group at the moment. Um, Tupac Francis will have his time in the 13 jersey, and that will be next year. Um, but I like him at front row there. I think that that gives him a very solid middle, you know, the power game of Kobe Floro, but then you know the work rate and um you know sort of ball playing and and communication, all that of Tupac Francis and Jackson Coyner through the middle as well. I think that bows very well for them. And then the back row I've gone with Talon Toe and Kalani Lavender. Kalani Lavender, well, they were both actually in this side last year. Um, and I think Talon Toe has been awesome for the Cowboys and for the Blackhawks up there in Malmaninger and NRL Q, and um that form has to be rewarded, and the fact he was in the side last year as well has to be rewarded, and then Kalani Lavender again in the side last year, doing awesome things for the Dolphins in NRLQ. I just think he's a highly quality player, and um, for mine that back row sort of picked itself a little bit um on the bench. Uh like I said, it could be Ezra Leota at 14 um to give Hayden Watson a rest. I don't think it needs to be. Um, but I'm gonna I'm gonna play both sides of the fence. I'm gonna say it's either Adequick's Luke, who, like I said, I had him in my fullback jersey until you know sort of Seth Gundry uh has lit it up over the back end of the season, and then um, or Ezra Leota. Just depends on whether we want to run two nines or not, or if they want to have you know a guy that can cover the back five there on the bench, um, just offers a little bit of versatility and cover. I think if it is a a six-man bench, maybe out of quick slugs get gets on there. Um, but you know, he he's been highly quality for the Dolphins this season over the last couple of seasons. He wasn't he's playing up at the North Devils, had some uh huge performances there, and uh played NRL trials earlier in the season as well. Um, looked solid there, so he's a quality player. Um, and you know, if you want to run two nines, Ezra Leoda would probably be my 14 there, um, especially considering what he did in the 14 jersey for the Queensland Schoolboys side. Um 15. I want Charlie Dixon. I think he's a highly quality middle up at the Dolphins, um, playing for the North Devils, done some good things in the Melbourne Inc. Yeah, he's been playing under all Q. He his first game, he was good off the bench, and he automatically went straight into the 13 jersey the next two weeks. So um just you know a highly quality player, he'd be an age up in this contest, I believe. Um he was for the Dolphins the player of the match in the Syraconnell grand final uh last year or the year before. Um so yeah, he's a he's a top quality player, and I think he'll be in this setup somewhere. Um the bench, the last couple of bench spots is where it got tricky because I I I want to pick middle forwards. Um, you know, Pale Fianati, I think probably has to be there. He'd be my Jersey 16. Um, and then I think Jersey 17, a guy who can cover a couple positions in the forward pack. Jared Horn, uh, he's played for PG against the Australian schoolboys' side in one of those tours. He's been a highly quality player for the Broncos over the last couple of years. Uh guy that was in that um under 17's Australian lineup that I did. I think he would be a great Jersey 17. He's done some good things playing back row and Maumeninga Cup this year and um can cover the lock position as well. Um and obviously if he can go into lock, Koiner could slot into that front row position, then um obviously Charlie Dixon's more so of a lock. He can cover front row, but you'd probably prefer him playing lock. Um, and then you know you need a power, a power middle off the bench, and that would be Pale Fianati. Um so unfortunately that means that uh Frank Howeth probably has to miss out for mine. I I think he's a quality player, he's been playing Jersey Fleg and you know, played a bit of Jersey Fleg last year. He was quality for the Storms SG ball side over the last two seasons as well. Um, but he probably just misses out on this side for me. Another guy who I want in this squad, um I've got him written down here as Jersey 18, is Kobe McGarraty. He would be an age up in this contest, so I don't think there's any rush to have him in the side. I think he'll be uh Queensland 11 teams rep at some point. I think um, like I said one, you know, mid-season, I I said, you know, he probably represents everything that Queenslanders talk about when they say Queensland spirit. He's just a hard-working middle forward, um, you know, puts his head into some strange places, but like, you know, he's just yeah, he's just a tough middle forward that you know gets through heaps of work defensively, is good, can give you a huge stint. I think he's gonna be a starting front rower next season. Um, so he's a guy who I'd have in this lineup. And a guy when you you when you talk about having to reward form, I think Tyler Pereira is a guy who's formed in Maumen Inga Cup and you know played NRLQ for the Titans as well in the centres. Um he was a fullback for the Ipswich Jets, I want to say he was playing for. Um just great, just put in great form for for those two teams. And um he's a guy that you probably have to reward for that form and and find a spot for him in this jersey 19. And you know, if they do go with the six-man bench, he's an ideal guy who can cover one to five. Um so you know, if if you've got you know that um that six-man bench, maybe you go Ezra Leota 14 to cover nine, and Tyler Pereira can be that back five role in jersey 19, or maybe out of quick slukes goes there. Um just depends really. And like I said, um Frank Hyworth would be very stiff to miss out, but um I yeah, I've just the way that I've assembled this bench and this this forward pack, there's just so many good lock forwards um that it's tough, tough to make out and so many good back rolls as well. Um, yeah, it's a tough lineup to make, um, but I'm pretty pretty happy with it, to be honest. Um uh so yeah, we'll run back through that. Seth Gundry, Mel Nonu Um, and CSIA Puese on the wings, uh Brian Poignou and Louie Lee in the centres, Taj Lateo, Elijah Berve, Mo Haves, DuPo Francis, Kobe Flora up front with Jackson Coiner at lock, Hayden Watson in the middle at nine, Talon Toa and Kalani Lavender are my two back rowers. Um then I'm gonna go for the sake of um just locking someone in, add a quick look at 14. Um my 15, Charlie Dixon, 16, Pale Fianati, um, 17, Jared Horn, 18, Katie McGarrity, 19, Tyler Pereira would be my Queensland lineup, and then my New South Wales lineup that I've picked. Rex Bathingswaite at fullback, Cooper Johnson and um either Macasini or Papalia Fall on the wings, um, Dane Jennings and Toby Winter in the centres, Anatoni Large, Katamarico in the halves, Ryder Talunga, Kristen Tupper Moors up front with Thomas Dello at lock, then Phoenix Godnay, Darcy Smith in the back row, Ashton Large at 14, Roman Tuamau at 15, at Tula Seve, Chris Petris round out the bench, and then Taj Alvarez, Eddie Kalis, 18 and 19. Thanks for listening again. Um tomorrow morning will be a podcast, you know, previewing Maommaninga, might not be tomorrow morning, might be Friday morning, rather. Um, previewing Maominga Cup and talking about, you know, performances of the week and all those sorts of things, reviewing the um junior reps grand finals down here in New South Wales. as well. Um so stay tuned for that. But other than that, thanks for listening. See you all on the next one.