State of 2018 Origin rankings: The real player of the series
AFTER the baffling decision to award Billy Slater the Wally Lewis Medal, we rank all players in this year’s State of Origin series from 41 to 1 — check out who finishes on top.
AFTER what has seemed like months, the Origin series is over with the Blues taking home a 2-1 win.
With a record number of debutants for the Blues the interstate series had a new flavour and the fans were rewarded with three games of open, flowing footy.
With another series in the books there’s only one thing to do — rank every single player who pulled on a boot, all 41 one of them.
The baffling decision to award Billy Slater the Wally Lewis Medal — no disrespect, but playing two matches shouldn’t be enough — got us thinking and we’ve taken a crack at making it right.
This is no scientific formula, but contributions from the first two matches count for more than the third — after all, as good as Game Three was there was just so much more at stake in Melbourne and Sydney.
ANALYSIS: Brain explosions destroy sweep hopes
CONTROVERSY: Slater’s player award condemned
41. ANTHONY MILFORD
Poor old Milford clocks in at the bottom of this list through lack of opportunity. The Brisbane five-eighth only got 10 minutes on the field in Origin I, hardly enough time to put his stamp on the game. He did manage a good try-saving tackle on Latrell Mitchell though and will be part of Queensland’s plans going forward.
40. JARROD WALLACE
Wallace’s reputation has taken some serious dings in this series. In the first two matches he managed just nine runs for 87 metres combined, a truly awful return for an Origin prop. The Titans mainstay has the ability to make an impact at representative level but needs big minutes to do so — if they aren’t on offer, he must find a way to make himself more assertive or risk losing his place. Played his best in Origin III but still wasn’t quite where he wanted to be.
39. COEN HESS
Hess was selected for this year’s series based on what he could have been rather than what he is right now. Like many of his North Queensland teammates, Hess has endured a wretched season despite securing a spot in the starting side. He’s been used in the middle for Queensland and hasn’t threatened to make a serious impact. A year or two off the rep scene could do him a world of good, although he was better in Origin III.
38. TYRONE PEACHEY
The Panthers wildcard gets this spot almost by default — he played less than 20 minutes combined in the first two matches after the Blues sustained no injuries to the outside backs. He did have a couple of nice carries in the closing stages of Origin II but looked a bit frantic with a little more game time.
37. MATT PRIOR
A shock replacement for Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Prior was effective enough in limited minutes in Origin II, running for 23 metres from three carries and making 23 tackles. He was omitted from the squad for Origin III.
36. COREY OATES
Didn’t get the chances he would have liked in his only appearance of the series, but did run for a heap of metres. Made two costly errors that could count against him next series.
35. TIM GLASBY
No fuss, no dramas, no worries, no losses at Origin level. Glasby is safe as a bank and won’t ever go missing. Did a good enough job in Origin III and helped hold the middle well.
34. MICHAEL MORGAN
Morgan was pitched into the fullback role for Origin I on short notice after an injury to Billy Slater and did a serviceable job without capturing the form he showed last season. A crucial missed tackle on James Tedesco in the lead-up to the Blues’ final try at the MCG was his sole blemish before injury ruled him out of the rest of the series.
33. ANGUS CRICHTON
Crichton was something of a shock selection for Origin I and was given big minutes by Blues coach Brad Fittler, playing close to the latter two-thirds of each of the first two matches on the right edge. The 22-year old defended well but couldn’t make a real impact in attack. Made some crucial errors under fatigue late in Game III.
32. TARIQ SIMS
Was shoehorned into the middle in Origin III, a role he’s not as well suited to as the edge, and brought plenty of pain and aggression. It was a stellar debut until his costly penalty in possession led to the Valentine Holmes try. Should push for a spot again next year.
31. REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD
The Panthers prop had a good Origin debut, running for 99 meters from 11 carries and tackling well but a broken jaw ruled him out of the rest of the series. Given his form over the last few seasons he’s a certainty to rejoin the team if fit next year.
30. BEN HUNT
It was a difficult series for the Dragons talisman, who was forced to step into the shoes of legends. While Hunt was restricted by injury in Origin I he still managed to lay on a try with a kick and boot a 40/20 but things went very far south in Game II. After NSW secured the series, Hunt copped the majority of the blame for Queensland’s inability to close out the match and was relegated to the bench for Game III. That may be his spot going forward after some good moments at hooker.
29. JAMES ROBERTS
Roberts got the rough end of the stick when it turned out the Blues were far more comfortable running their attack down their left side, meaning he enjoyed little clean ball at right centre. He did his part on exit sets, running for 162 metres in the first two matches but lacked the opportunity to impose himself on the series and had his hands full containing an inspired Greg Inglis. Played much better in Origin III and will be far better for the run.
28. ANDREW MCCULLOUGH
McCullough defended stoutly, probed in attack where he could and did himself proud in his maiden Origin voyage. While he did not run the ball as much as some pundits would have liked, such play has never been a big part of the durable Bronco’s game. He is only guilty of the crime of not being Cameron Smith.
27. WILL CHAMBERS
Chambers really struggled to contain Latrell Mitchell in the first two matches of the series with the young Blue muscling over the top of him in each match for two tries. Their battles were a highlight of the series. Some rash kicks in both matches are also marks against the experienced Melbourne man, but he copped something of a bad wrap. Chambers got one back on Mitchell in Origin III and was far more composed. Calls for his Origin career to be over are well wide of the mark.
26. KALYN PONGA
Here’s the dilemma with Ponga — his own performance in Origin II was excellent. Playing an unfamiliar position in the middle of the field for close to an hour, Ponga acquitted himself well, churning through his tackles and ripping off 89 metres from seven runs, including an exhilarating break which nearly resulted in an equalising try for the Maroons. However, Kevin Walters’ decision to play him for so long robbed Queensland of the domination they enjoyed in the forwards and reduced Billy Slater’s role in proceedings. Ponga will play plenty of Origin in the future, we can only hope he is used more efficiently next time.
25. DYLAN NAPA
After a rough outing in Origin I, Napa rose to the occasion in the second match and played one of his best games for Queensland. Given the Maroons’ lack of options up the middle they need Napa to find consistency at this level in the years to come.
24. GAVIN COOPER
The veteran Cowboy’s belated Origin career will likely come to a close following a series where he was solid enough but never broke out. An honest and tough performer, Cooper lacks the attacking class of some of his younger counterparts. He defended well, worked hard and did all the little things right as ever. Played his best game in Queensland’s Game Three win.
23. DALY CHERRY-EVANS
Only played one match bit was the best player on the field in it, under enormous pressure with an entire state to win over. Kicking game was out of this world, backed up to score the winning try and gave Queensland the direction they lacked in the first two games. In the box seat to be there again next season.
22. NATHAN CLEARY
The young prince of NSW wasn’t able to impose himself on the Blues attack in the first two matches and went back to basics, running the ball well and holding up his end defensively. A superb cover tackle on Valentine Holmes in Sydney was his series highlight and he made a similar one on Greg Inglis in Melbourne. A solid start to what promises to be a lengthy Origin career.
21. PAUL VAUGHAN
After a solid debut in Origin I, Vaughan turned up the heat in Sydney and gave the Blues some tough and effective carries off the bench to secure a starting spot for the dead rubber. Strangely, he was only afforded 20 minutes in the final match.
20. FELISE KAUFUSI
It was a very handy debut for Kaufusi, who was almost the pick of the Queensland debutants along with Ponga. His 159 metres in the first two matches were the most of any Queensland forward other than Josh McGuire and he was the only non-spine player to accrue a try assist. Once his combination with his halves improves at this level he’ll be a real weapon.
19. JAI ARROW
Arrow was one of the real bright spots to come out of the series for Queensland. The hardworking Titans forward was strong off the bench in the first two games before earning his first start in Origin III and he made the most of it. The Maroons can build around him.
18. JOSH PAPALII
One of the few Queensland forwards to make it out of the series with his reputation enhanced, Papalii was excellent off the bench in Origin I and thoroughly earned his start in the dead rubber. Playing the Canberra big man for more minutes should be a focus of their series next year. When he is on, Queensland are better. It’s as simple as that.
17. LATRELL MITCHELL
Latrell Mitchell is far from the finished product as a footballer which makes his debut series all the more exciting. The Roosters centre made some sloppy errors, gave away some bad penalties and was caught out defensively more than once but his ability to carry the football, especially close to the line, evened out the kinks that still remain in his game. Those kinks showed up in Origin III, but the margin for error was greater. One on one he is a nightmare for any defender, as Will Chambers discovered, and as he continues to improve he’s set for a lengthy interstate career.
16. TYSON FRIZELL
Frizell has become an Origin mainstay for the Blues but to my eye he’s yet to hit his best at this level. This is no slight on Frizell, but on the way he’s been used. While the Dragons forward can play on the edge or in the middle he’s much more effective at the former but has spent much of the series as the latter. Once he plays 80 minutes on the edge he’ll become a near certainty for man of the match contention. He was still good in his dual role, especially in Origin III, but the edge is where he belongs.
15. JACK DE BELIN
De Belin has not showed his best football in attack in his debut series but his defence has been impeccable, especially in the opening quarter. Giving the Blues the starch and aggression they need in the middle is a job that suits de Belin right down to the ground. An exemplary performance in Origin II proved what de Belin had told us before the series began — he’s made for Origin football.
14. BILLY SLATER
Slater only played two matches, one of them a dead rubber, but his influence across all aspects of play was supreme. In the opening quarter of Origin II it seemed that the return of Slater would once again be the magic trick for Queensland before the Kalyn Ponga move robbed him of much of his influence. Had two top class games but should never have been the Wally Lewis medallist.
13. JOSH ADDO-CARR
Of the Blues backline debutants, Addo-Carr has enjoyed the best series. Although he’s not known for his workrate he toiled hard to accrue 28 runs for 213 metres from the first two matches while also diving across for two tries. What was most pleasing was in Origin III when the game did not come to him, he went and tried to get it. Addo-Carr and Mitchell are two of rugby league’s fastest rising stars and will be fan favorites for years to come.
12. CAMERON MUNSTER
Of the Queensland spine, Munster had the best series on the whole. His running game has translated well to Origin level and even though he couldn’t replicate his form from his stunning debut last year he’s still been dangerous. Having said that, Munster is not free of the blame for the failure to take Origin II when it was there to be taken in the final minutes. He did rebound well in Origin III and will be in this side for many years.
11. TOM TRBOJEVIC
Trbojevic was terrific in Origin I, working like a dog out of his own end and providing valuable yardage around the middle of the field as well as latching on to a cross kick for his first Origin try. He was more well-contained in Game II under heavy pressure from Queensland but still did his job well and should be proud of his efforts, racking up 36 runs to be one of the Blues’ busiest ball-carriers. Ran for more metres than anyone else in Origin III in another class performance.
10. DANE GAGAI
At the time of writing, Gagai is once again on track this year to score more tries in Origin than club football. When he pulls on the Maroon jersey he transforms and he was once again one of Queensland’s best after claiming the Wally Lewis medal as player of the series last year. His 37 runs were the second most of any Maroon and he gained the third most metres with 281. Throw in his two tries and it was a very solid series from the Rabbitoh.
9. VALENTINE HOLMES
Holmes is seemingly made for rep football, scoring four tries across the series and leading Queensland in total run metres and hit-ups. There are question marks over many Maroons players heading into next series but Holmes is not one of them. Took a remarkable intercept in Origin III that may have saved Queensland from a whitewash.
8. JOSH MCGUIRE
It cannot be disputed that McGuire is Queensland’s most important forward and one of their most important players in any position. The Maroons were belted around the park up the middle when McGuire was of the field and he was among their best in both of the live matches of the series. If he was given more minutes in Origin II the result could have been very different.
7. JAKE TRBOJEVIC
Brad Fittler’s decision to bring Trbojevic off the bench was perhaps his best tactical call of the series. In playing heavy minutes as a sub, Trbojevic was able to use his footwork and mobility to great effect and was typically punishing in defence. Modern rugby league is a 17-man game, and Fittler’s call got the most out of Trbojevic and the player who started ahead of him, Jack de Belin.
6. DAVID KLEMMER
In his first series as a starter Klemmer was top shelf, running for more metres than any other middle forward despite playing fewer minutes than most. With shorter stints Klemmer has been able to focus on making an impact with every carry and his bludgeoning runs have been a core pillar of the Blues’ series win. Had some costly lapses in Origin III but the series was already won.
5. GREG INGLIS
Inglis exceeded all expectations in his return from a knee reconstruction, taking to the captaincy brilliantly and doing everything he could to inspire his team. His punishing defence was a highlight of Origin I and while he didn’t cross the stripe he was still dangerous in attack, always beating the first man in a glorious return to form.
4. BOYD CORDNER
To think there were some who didn’t want Cordner in the side before Origin I. The Blues skipper has had his best series, churning out 38 runs for 265 metres over the first two games — nobody ran the ball more and only James Tedesco had more yards. Cordner took the tough carries from his own end, shielded James Maloney well in defence and was always there when required. The best forward in the series barn none.
3. JAMES TEDESCO
Tedesco’s performance in Origin I can stand next to any 80 minutes in Origin history and confirmed him as the best fullback in the country with the possible exception of Slater. The Roosters fullback scored the first try and played a major role in two more to go with a score of line breaks and tackle busts. He was more well-contained in Origin II but still managed to set up a try for Latrell Mitchell that ended up being the matchwinner and crossed again in Origin III. An exemplary performance.
2. DAMIEN COOK
Expectations were high for Cook leading into his first Origin foray but he answered all the questions in a supreme performance at the MCG, cutting the Maroons to ribbons up the middle of the ruck and playing a vital role in two NSW tries. He was solid enough in Game Two and still threatened more than once with his incredible speed off the mark before getting back to his best in the dead rubber. Origin football has never seen a dummy half with a running game like Cook and he could have a mortgage on the Origin and Test hooking job for some time.
1. JAMES MALONEY
Of the seven try assists the Blues accumulated over the first two matches James Tedesco had three and James Maloney the other four. His composure late in matches, his brilliant goalkicking and his ability to steer the team around the park have all made the difference between this Blues team and the losing sides of the past. Brad Fittler went from doubting his selection to proclaiming Maloney his team’s best player in the entire series. Had one to forget in Origin III but loomed largest when it mattered most and should have been rewarded with the Wally Lewis medal.
Originally published as State of 2018 Origin rankings: The real player of the series
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