Good Maroons side but Blues player could hold the key

The (Maroons) selectors have given them an enormous chance to win the series but if Mitchell fires I believe the class of the Blues will be too much.

AT TRAINING: NSW Blues players Nik Cotric and Latrell Mitchell. Picture: DAN HIMBRECHTS

ORIGIN is nearly on us and I must say Queensland selectors, the coach and the coach whisperer (whoever he is) have come up with a bloody good footy team considering retirements and injury.

I reckon they have picked about the best team possible.

Can they win, well I reckon that is best described in two words, Latrell Mitchell. If he fires for the Blues I think that's your answer.

He hasn't been right since that massive physical encounter the Roosters had with the Raiders a few weeks ago. The Roosters and Mitchell have been off since then.

With all due respect to the Maroons outfit the selectors have given them an enormous chance to win the series but if Mitchell fires I believe the class of the Blues will be too much, particularly with Jack Wighton coming off the bench. But if the Roosters star tosses up what he has the past two weeks the Maroons will be a massive chance.

But see below about how much I know compared to what I think I know.

Out of eight NRL games and four Vantage Homes Cup games, I got two right in my tipping, which is about 16 per cent, which was probably my average results when I was at school.

I am having one more go at the local league. Last week I got zero out of four. Beerwah are at home to the Swans, Caboolture host Noosa, Kawana are at home to Caloundra and Stanley River are at home to Nambour all on Saturday night and I think all the home teams will win.

I was at a media scrum the other day at the new Sports Hub at Kawana and special guest was Reds gun Tate McDermott and what a delight it was to meet the young bloke.

He certainly handled himself well and definitely hasn't forgotten his local area and where he has come from.

I must say the Sports Hub is looking unbelievable and once the doors are open some time towards the end of July the Sunshine Coast will have a world class sports facility for training and rehab.

On top of that it will also have affordable accommodation for teams and individuals within a stone's throw of the lake's training facility, sports grounds, aquatic centre and the Pacific Ocean which will complement the wonderful climate we have on the Sunshine Coast.

The Falcons Origin Lunch is on again this year with a different venue and different format, like a casual footy mates catch-up, a few beers and some footy food.

Only amongst them will be Maroons coach Kevin Walters and Queenslander Billy Moore, hosted by Tony "Durko” Durkin

Clayton Williams' Duporth Tavern is the venue and it should be a rip-roaring afternoon. Comedians are not required as Kerrod Walters will be there as well.

For tickets ring the Falcons on 54932902 or XXXX Brewery ambassador and chief taste tester Chris Flannery on 0429224376 or email me on [e-mail].

Sunday footy this week is hugely exciting with the Falcons at home against the in-form Burleigh Bears in a top-of-the-table clash.

With the Storm keeping a number of Falcon regulars in Melbourne to cover for Origin there is a massive opportunity for the local Falcons players to make a statement. It should be an interesting afternoon.