Changes galore to both teams. Let’s take a look.
The Good Guys
This is the team Coach Maguire wanted for Game 1.
Most are players returning from injury while others are key players replaced to balance the new line-up.
Main changes are the return of Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Mitchell Moses. We also see debutants Dylan Edwards and Connor Watson.
Cane Toads
The Maroons have also made changes based on Coach Slater’s whimsicalness.
Main changes are the return of Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell and dropping Selwyn Cobbo for no reason at all.
So much for the masterstroke of having a back on the bench. Queensland always pick and stick (cough).
Whinge, Whinge, Whinge
The Maroons will do anything to deflect favouritism in this series. Yes, they are a miserable lot.
You would think a team that has been gifted the series defeating a 12-man Blues team in Sydney would have something positive to say.
But the aftermath of Reece Walsh’s high tackle has been interesting viewing.
Broncos coach Kevvie Walters said Reece is being unfairly targeted. Coach Slater was so angry he would not say a word for a couple days. The Queensland contingent of commentators then overreached stating Reece Walsh will be afforded a few extra seconds in Game 2 to shine.
Guess what Queenslanders? Reece Walsh will be targeted again. Expect more big hits on him. The high shot was an error in a fast, high collision sport. Get over it.
Walsh is a gun player built like Tigger (all rubber and springs) and is quite the tough little hombre. You just can’t hit players in the head.
Glass Houses
Blues coach Maguire threw a barb over the border stating Queensland Coach Billy Slater isn’t best placed to comment on foul play given his considerable rap sheet.
And didn’t the media love it. Finally, a bit of spice to add to the series.
And the Queenslanders again came out whining. Gordon Tallis stating you can’t be talking about Billy Slater the player. Maguire doesn’t have the playing record to comment.
Oh Gordon, it’s so unfair. Queensland must be underdogs because it was said.
Well, at least I think it was? What was stated was a string of words that do not make any grammatical sense. Maguire could have been saying all sorts of things.
I’m glad this is not a debating series.
The Verdict
The Blues have it all to do. The Maroons are expected to win and take out the series 3-nil.
This is our last chance to take the series to a decider.
Go the Blues!
