I agree on Wighton, right up there with the most overrated players in the comp, but I think I’d still take Haas, he was poor in game 3 last year but the Maroons game plan was heavily based around containing him in gang tackles. They knew that they didn’t have to worry about a lot of the other middles. D Saf was consistent through the whole series but you know what he’s going to do, hit the line and try and land on his front. I think Haas will go great if we put a bit more dynamism & aggression around him, and he’s been the next best prop in the comp after Fish this year, him & Pangai carrying a very poor side which would be 0-8 without them.
I do think some fresh blood is needed. 2 out of 3 games the Maroons pack killed ours.
1. Tedesco
2. Addo-Carr
3. Mitchell
4. Trbjoevic (Lomax injured)
5. To’o
6. Luai/Walker (I don’t think there’s a bad selection option here tbh)
7. Cleary
13. Radley
12. Pangai Jr (Frizell has been mediocre in Origin for years now. Wind Pangai up, aim him at Fifita, and he’ll absolutely daddy David)
11. Crichton
10. Haas
9. Cook
8. Vaughan (going better than Klemmer & D Saf atm, bit more footwork etc)
14. Peachey (an actual utility as the utility, imagine that)
15. Paulo (very good against tiring defenders)
16. Yeo (Murray injured)
17. Leota (my bolter. He’ll come on and push the line speed in defence)