NSW Blues State of Origin team: Dylan Edwards in, Tom Trbojevic out of Paul Crawley’s 17

How should New South Wales line up for Origin 1? Paul Crawley has revealed his full side and tried to solve one of the Blues’ toughest selection headaches.

Should Dylan Edwards make his State of Origin debut?

If someone can tell me how Brad Fittler could possibly pick a NSW team this year and leave out Penrith’s form fullback Dylan Edwards, I’m listening.

Ditto South Sydney’s Campbell Graham ahead of Tom Trbojevic at centre, Nicho Hynes at five-eighth ahead of Jarome Luai, while I’d also put Canberra’s X-factor Hudson Young in the starting side ahead of Cameron Murray, with Bulldog Matt Burton and in-form Warrior Dylan Walker fighting to be the bench bolting utility.

Meanwhile, the first decision for Billy Slater should be putting Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of Kalyn Ponga, while struggling Cowboys Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter have huge ground to make up ahead of their important clash against the Sharks on Thursday night.

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Reece Walsh art by Boo Bailey.

At this point I’ve got Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi ahead of Nanai, who is playing nowhere near the level of last year, while Cotter is also trailing Queensland’s new ‘Fatty’ Vautin for a bench shot.

Corey Horsburgh has the makings of an Origin cult hero, and the big ranga gets the chance to press his claims further when the Raiders take on the Dolphins on Saturday and he goes head-to-head with another Maroons bench option Tom Gilbert.

There is also a stack of Broncos and Rabbitohs with a point to prove in Friday’s blockbuster at Suncorp. None more so than Graham, Damien Cook and Queensland’s Jai Arrow for the Bunnies, while Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki are all each way Origin bets at this point in time.

Originally published as NSW Blues State of Origin team: Dylan Edwards in, Tom Trbojevic out of Paul Crawley’s 17