No Room for DCE or Jake in Aussie squad

[Oligarch]

That’s a very interesting side. I get the feeling that if it doesn’t come off Mal will wear it - and we will be looking for a new AU coach. And if it does…well played Mal.

 

[The '47ers]

Congratulations to Turbo on getting selected, the calls above of Turbo being selfish are a bit harsh due to what happened recently with Turbo requesting a remuneration cut with the NRL.

It was a rhetorical request, you actually think Tom is that dumb that he thought the NRL would agree to that?

 

[pepsiseaeagle]

Tom should rightly respond as Kalyn initially did, and withdraw. He is carrying multiple injuries which require attention. Daly and Jake have had their time. Moving forward, at this stage of his career, Jake should take on a vital role similar to that of Jason King and Steve Menzies in their twilight years, as a bench impact player. Jake is a quality man, along with being both an experienced and smart player. However, Jake is not an 80 minute man and is currently playing in his last nrl deal. Daly is quality, competitive and still super fit but again, age is not on his side, and he will likely have a year or 2 on top of his current deal. The signing of young halves Walsh and Large is good timing and our objective is to knock over a highly over rated panthers side and take the title. With players like Cherry-Evans, Brooks, Haumole, Koula, Hopoate and the Trbojevic's, no reason we can't.

 

[wombatgc]

Funny, in club land its easier and cheaper to punt the coach than 30 players. In rep footy, the players have been given the punt and the coach is kept on.

I’ve listened to Meninga all year on Fox. When they question players after the game, he just seems dull, boring, and tactically useless. He’s never been a fan of DCE, so his emission doesn’t surprise me. Actually pretty happy he didn’t get picked. At 35, his body could do with some R&R. As for Turbo, it’s time to be club first. It was reported he wanted to give the club back $750.000 over two years for games he’s missed. While that is admirable. I would say to Tommy, keep your cash. But instead, go all in for the club. Starting with getting your body sorted medically. Then before the season starts, make a statement that you are giving Origin the flick to concentrate on club first mentality. That would be huge. For fans and team mates. DCE should do the same. Representatively both have nothing to prove.

 

[StuBoot]

Funny, in club land its easier and cheaper to punt the coach than 30 players. In rep footy, the players have been given the punt and the coach is kept on.

Yep, l don't know how Meninga keeps his job.

In his presser today, talks about looking ahead to 2026 World Cup yet can't find a spot for Ponga.
He only sees him as a fullback so no room in the squad, WTF?
One specialist winger - Coates
The other winger wants to play centre - Lomax
First choice centres will be two fullbacks - Turbo and Hammer - so where does that leave Best?
Halves are two debutants - Deardon and Moses - plus Burton
Two hookers so don't need cover for that yet Hunt's in the squad...at 34!
Yeo at 13 and captain - Carrigan, Murray?
Props - really only Collins and Smith are genuine front rowers then Barnett while Cotter and Carrigan play there out of necessity.
2nd rowers - Martin, Crichton

Hunt must have the goat photos.

It's akin to Cricket Australia and our ODI teams - having an eye on a future World Cup so we'll wheel out an experimental team.
So the paying Aussie public don't get to see the best squad available.

What happened to the days of Gen next having to bide their time.
Teddy shouldn't lose his spot whilst he's still playing this good ( he's the Captain FFS)
Edward's can play on the wing as he has done well previously.
Turbo at 60% is better than the other backs apart from maybe Hammer so should be there.
Let Moses and Deardon fight it out to play alongside DCE ( while he's keeping the seat warm for Cleary)
Burton and Ponga battle for the 14

So both Origin captains aren't in the squad nor Teddy and Origin is supposedly the toughest arena of RL.

Meninga talks about the Kangaroos as the pinnacle yet here he's cheapening it by leaving out guys who haven't called time and are playing well enough to be there and rolls out this squad!

There's only two games and then the final, it's not like we can afford to f$&k around.

 

[globaleagle]

Admittingly I'm not up to date on the players as I once was, but I initially thought this was the PM's XIII that they pick to play PNG!

 

[Eagle 1]

BUT is his shoulder fine ??? At the time I’m sure it read “ he’ll be able to play through the finals with pain killers but will need end of season surgery “ .

If so WTF has he been picked for ??

Cleary gets a free pass to get his fixed but no let’s battle on and do further damage 😖😖😖

Where did you see Tom will need end of season surgery.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Lindsay Smith has done a fine job as a 'no frills' bench option for Penrith but if he is one of the game's premier prop forwards, I need to give it away.

A sign of the rapid change in NRL demographics, no longer the case that all the best players are eligible for (or choose to play for) Australia.
Interesting squad picked.
To keep interest up, every club has someone, except Tiges, Tits, Raiders, and ... top 4 side Sharks!

 

[Brocky]

No way Jake was going to make the team. DCE was outplayed by Moses.
Turbo play or not play does it really matter, he gets injured either way.

 

[Ben]

No way Jake was going to make the team. DCE was outplayed by Moses.
Turbo play or not play does it really matter, he gets injured either way.

Such a shame he gets injured so often. We all know he has lost a yard of pace so I would love to see him bulk up and put on some size in the offseason. This would enable him to protect his body a little more and activate his power to bust tackles.
Last year even though he was in great form he was neither hear of there for pace or power.
He needs to pick one and in my eyes he needs the size and power at this stage of his career.

 

[Eagle 1]

I’ve listened to Meninga all year on Fox. When they question players after the game, he just seems dull, boring, and tactically useless. He’s never been a fan of DCE, so his emission doesn’t surprise me. Actually pretty happy he didn’t get picked. At 35, his body could do with some R&R. As for Turbo, it’s time to be club first. It was reported he wanted to give the club back $750.000 over two years for games he’s missed. While that is admirable. I would say to Tommy, keep your cash. But instead, go all in for the club. Starting with getting your body sorted medically. Then before the season starts, make a statement that you are giving Origin the flick to concentrate on club first mentality. That would be huge. For fans and team mates. DCE should do the same. Representatively both have nothing to prove.

Agree, the one I can't work out is Hunt over DCE. If it's age, Hunt is 36, DCE is 35. Bit of a slap in the face for Cheery I'd say.

 

[nightster]

Interesting squad.
A nod to the future which is understandable with no Teddy or DCE but with Grant and Robson as the hookers l don't see the reasoning for Hunts inclusion.
Moses, Deardon and Burton cover the halves so l can't see why he's there.

Am l missing something?
Isn't it 2-3 games?

Queenslander ....one of Mal's pets

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Where did you see Tom will need end of season surgery.

I thought I read it somewhere maybe tat was incorrect

 

[Peter C]

Well seriously if Turbo plays that'll do me. Clearly a sign that DCE and Jake are now past it but hey let's continue to pay them massive overs.

DCE still an oustanding player despite his age, Jake struggling, lack of pace and size now, lucky to have played State of Origin, let alone captain.
Jake was lucky Tom came a couple of years after, as the club was fearful of losing them both in a package deal to another club.

 

[manly al]

Have to think that if Turbo 's shoulder injury was still a major concern only 2 weeks ago , would still be in a fairly delicate state and prone to reinjury for a while yet .
Also would have thought that if selected to partly cover a centre position, players like Staggs , Ramien or even Gaigi would have had more consideration and taking into account that most likely situation with Turbo 's recent type of injury.
Quite likely that he will not actually see not that much game time with Best, the Hammer and Burton probably more in line for a centre or back up centre role.
Can see the intention to also have the utility factor in his selection but can only go on the range of probabilities and Turbo 's suitable shoulder recovery progress could hardly rate on the definite or certain category in the short term .
With that element of high risk factor and even though not a great deal of depth in the centres , should really have been a serious line of thought for Turbo and selectors if it is really worth that risk for his general welfare , let alone Manly "s .

 

[LeonardCohen]

Yep, l don't know how Meninga keeps his job.

In his presser today, talks about looking ahead to 2026 World Cup yet can't find a spot for Ponga.
He only sees him as a fullback so no room in the squad, WTF?

You missed the week long media crusade pertaining to Ponga's withdrawal from the tournament?

 

[LeonardCohen]

A sign of the rapid change in NRL demographics, no longer the case that all the best players are eligible for (or choose to play for) Australia.
Interesting squad picked.
To keep interest up, every club has someone, except Tiges, Tits, Raiders, and ... top 4 side Sharks!

It's not that, it's more that he is isn't even a premier bench forward. I would have a guy like Jack Williams or Tom Hazelton ahead of Smith, and that's saying something. Maybe even Bullemor haha! Smith is solid but I am surprised Mal even knows his name...he's a complete non-event. It's a very bizarre selection.

 

[sheridanstand78]

I do wish that Tom was rested from this series, his shoulder needs to be given time to totally recover.

I think Meninga did the right thing with this squad, he needs guys who want to do this, and there had to be change after the last series.

I am also glad that DCE can get a break from the game as I believe after origin this year he was pretty cooked. Jake was once a great rep player, there are other players better than him now and Manly need him more than Australia do!

 

[JakeyB789]

Haumole, Lehi, Koula & Paseka all named in the Tongan squad, keen to see how they all go in what looks like a very strong team on paper. Lacking a bit in quality in the halves and at hooker but their potential pack might be better than both Australia and NZ's IMO

 

[Eagle 1]

Can understand Jake's omission tho, most times with the ball Jake is akin to a swimmer treading water. And his tackling has dropped off somewhat

Have to think that if Turbo 's shoulder injury was still a major concern only 2 weeks ago , would still be in a fairly delicate state and prone to reinjury for a while yet .
Also would have thought that if selected to partly cover a centre position, players like Staggs , Ramien or even Gaigi would have had more consideration and taking into account that most likely situation with Turbo 's recent type of injury.
Quite likely that he will not actually see not that much game time with Best, the Hammer and Burton probably more in line for a centre or back up centre role.
Can see the intention to also have the utility factor in his selection but can only go on the range of probabilities and Turbo 's suitable shoulder recovery progress could hardly rate on the definite or certain category in the short term .
With that element of high risk factor and even though not a great deal of depth in the centres , should really have been a serious line of thought for Turbo and selectors if it is really worth that risk for his general welfare , let alone Manly "s .

Aust don't play till Oct 28, so maybe this got factored in.