Crash Tackle: Mitchell Pearce injury the biggest blow to QLD in Origin

Had Mitchell Pearce been playing Origin II it would have been of benefit to the Maroons as they look to wrap up the series. Check out Crash Craddock’s other off-sides and on-sides in his weekly column.

Crash Tackle returns for another week after a huge weekend of footy. Check out Robert Craddock’s take on Round 14 as we head into a massive Origin clash in Perth.

NSW’s Mitchell Pearce could have been exploited by the Maroons. Picture: Brett Costello

OFF-SIDE

PEARCE OFF, QLD SUFFERS

Mitchell Pearce’s unavailability for the State of Origin match in Perth was a shattering blow for the Blues – and an even bigger one for Queensland.

Nothing against Pearce who recently won six man of the match awards in a row for Newcastle and would have deserved his spot had not injury ruled him out.

But there was a feeling in the Maroons camp the Blues intention to play Nathan Cleary out of position at five-eighth to accommodate Pearce could have caused a logistical breakdown Queensland could have exploited.

Cleary’s Penrith halves partner James Maloney is not flawless – he missed five tackles for the Panthers on Saturday – but at least he is full of chat and will organise the Blues left hand side.

The Broncos were a mess against the Eels. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

IT’S A SHAMBLES

The Broncos disgraceful first half performance against Parramatta was a sharp reminder to the club to tread carefully in its rebuilding plans.

It’s fine having 10 youngsters in the team but Broncos fans don’t cop rebuilding stages if it means a team that finished two points off the top of the ladder last season plays like a group of part-timers.

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The team Wayne Bennett left behind last season was poised to strike and third favourites to win the premiership.

STORM CHASERS

The other significant point about rebuilding stages is that if you are good enough you can do it without people noticing.

The Broncos failings are accentuated by the fact that the Melbourne Storm have somehow perfected the formula of quietly “topping up’’ their talent without sliding down the ladder.

And if you buy the Broncos excuse that their players were thinking about next week’s rep round in the loss to the Eels what do you make of the heavily-committed Storm’s landslide win over Newcastle? No dropped guard there.

WHERE ARE THE GENERALS?

As fascinating as it would have been to see the enigmatic Pearce return to Origin after seven losing series, his recall would have been a telling comment about the state of the game.

Rugby league lacks emerging playmakers. The conjurers and generals with charisma and a clever touch. There is a theory that players are so heavily coached they lack the ability to think for themselves.

Darius Boyd is going through a tough season. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

PAINFUL EXIT

Darius Boyd has been an exceptional servant for the Broncos but it’s difficult to see how his glittering career will have a happy ending.

Boyd is contracted for two more years yet his game, once so bankable, lacks the snap and crackle of old, notwithstanding the occasional bruising tackle.

The problem for the Broncos is that if they cut him from first grade it is another senior voice gone in a team craving some sage guidance.

Cameron Munster has been in serious form for the Storm. Picture: AAP Image/Hamish Blair

ON-SIDE

MAGIC MUNSTER

No matter what challenges they face in the lead-up to the second State of Origin the Maroons can be comforted by this fact – they’ve got Cameron Munster.

He may not be the favourite to win the Dally M medal but even NSW selector Greg Alexander has branded him the best player in the competition.

PERFECT PERTH

The old theory that State of Origin matches should only be held in Queensland and NSW officially has whiskers on it.

The fact that Queensland could not sell out its only Origin game of the winter and Perth could is a sign that the games are losing their box office appeal in their traditional centres and one game each for Sydney and Brisbane each series is enough.

Daly Cherry-Evans is getting better by the week. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

CHERRY RIPE

Look out for a huge performance from Daly Cherry-Evans in Origin II.

He was strong in the first game after not having played for a month but is motoring into form and ready to lead Queensland to an unexpected series win.

Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa will need to lift in Origin II. Picture: Adam Head

IT’S TIME

It’s time for Jarrod Wallace to produce the State of Origin performance he and his state are craving.

Wallace has been in sound form for the Titans but has been hot and cold in his brief Origin career where his career is lacking a defining game.

At 27 he should be in the prime of his career and after seven first grade seasons he is no rookie. He needs to fire immediately.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION

Latrell Mitchell may have had a miserable month but Queensland will be relieved not be facing him in Perth.

For all of his enigmatic qualities, Mitchell can carve up a game like no other centre in the competition.