2013 State of Origin

Doesn't mean he's the best leader though.

 

Sorry. I thought you were sorta responding to the argument about who should captain. My bad.

 

One thing QLD really improved this year was their ball control. We played 240 minutes of footy with a completion rate at or above 80% for all three games. NSW completed at or below 80% for all three games.

 

I thought Gillett probably didn't do enough with the ball in Game III. Mind you he did a huge amount of work in defence. He played well off the bench in Game II. Made some really good strong runs and poked his nose through a few times. He also came up with a brilliant charge down on NSW's first set after half time which allowed Cherry-Evans to clean up immediately giving QLD great field position.

I just don't there'e room for him unless we're going to drop Thaiday, which I don't think is a great idea.

 

They do often end up favouring the kicking team but you still need them from time to time. Kickers get so much protection these days that you need a charge down or two just to remind them that they are under pressure and aren't untouchable.

 

There's no doubt about that. Doesn't mean you don't praise a bloke when they work though.

 

Agreed but I thought Steve Price was pretty effective at them. His charge down on a Pearce attempted bomb in the 08 decider was a huge play.

 

You'd have to think Pearce is up there with the worst halves for NSW who've played over 5 games. Terry Lamb was another; quality club player but just really not the same at rep level. Never able to really play well in the Origin environment. In Pearce's defence most of his games, the first half dozen were played against incredible opposition whilst his own side was pretty ordinary. But the last two or three years there's really been no excuse to be as ordinary as he has.