Broncos v Dragons looms as Tyson Frizell’s chance for State of Origin shot
NSW COACH Laurie Daley wants someone to “knock down his door” for State of Origin I in Sydney. Tyson Frizell’s chance could come on Thursday.
Footy Form
Don't miss out on the headlines from Footy Form. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NSW coach Laurie Daley wants someone to “knock down his door” and demand selection for Origin I in Sydney.
Tyson Frizell, you’ve been challenged.
Frizell will walk onto an Origin-like stage on Thursday night when his St George Illawarra Dragons confront high-flying Brisbane before a packed crowd at Suncorp Stadium. It might well be the game that pushes Frizell into the NSW Blues forward pack.
Frizell will come face-to-face with Queensland forwards Corey Parker, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday and possibly Josh McGuire.
Daley will be watching with keen interest.
“Tyson would certainly bring some power to any side in his running game,” Daley told The Daily Telegraph.
“And certainly he is a strong defender. He didn’t get involved as much as we would have liked last week (a 36-0 loss to North Queensland) and there were a number of reasons but we are looking for him to have more involvement and greater impact against Brisbane.
“He just couldn’t get himself into the game with the ball against the Cowboys but he can be a damaging ball runner. You always want to test yourself against the best and this is a great opportunity for Tyson and his teammates to do that.
“He, like every NSW candidate, has to consistently play well and knock down the door so it makes my job hard to leave them out.
“But I am sure Tyson’s focus at the moment is just wanting to play well for the Dragons. The Dragons have copped a lot criticism so you would expect them to come out with a great attitude and compete hard against Brisbane.”
Frizell certainly has a fan in Andrew Johns. Asked to pick his NSW team on Channel Nine, Johns had Frizell as a starting back-rower alongside Boyd Cordner and Josh Jackson.
“Tyson Frizell’s a smokey for me,” Johns said. “We need someone on the edge of the ruck who can break the line.”
Frizell knows this is his big chance.
“They probably have one of the form packs with a lot of representatives from the Queensland Origin team so it will be a good test. Those kinds of players in Parker, Thaiday and Gillett,” Frizell said this week.
“Having the short turnaround is a good thing for us as it will hopefully get that loss out of the system and make us move on straight away. We aren’t dwelling on it too much and are focused on facing the Broncos.”
Several NSW forwards, including Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Paul Gallen, David Klemmer and Aaron Woods, will pick themselves.
Originally published as Broncos v Dragons looms as Tyson Frizell’s chance for State of Origin shot
Get your 2019 NRL tipping chart
Whether you’re getting the office together or just organising the family tipping competition, you’re going to need a tipping chart. We’ve got you covered. DOWNLOAD YOUR CHART HERE.
Storm’s new iceman sledges Cronk
WITH Cooper Cronk’s departure last season, Cameron Munster has emerged as Melbourne’s clutch hero in 2018, and the playmaker let his former teammate know all about his new-found talent.