Luke Keary, Cody Walker leading charge to be NSW Blues halves

Representative football should not be about giving the jumper to who owned it last. It should be about rewarding the now. And when it comes to the NSW halves, the case is closed writes PAUL CRAWLEY.

Nathan Cleary hardly set the world on fire during last year’s Origin series. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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Representative football should not be about giving the jumper to who owned it last. It should be about rewarding the now.

When it comes to the NSW halves debate, most would concede Luke Keary is all but a certainty to take over from James Maloney.

What I can’t believe is there is even still a debate that Nathan Cleary should not be dropped to make way for Cody Walker.

Luke Keary is almost certain to make his State of Origin debut this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

I don’t care if there are three games to go before Brad Fittler names his squad.

The argument often put forward is that Cleary played in last year’s series victory, and it would be detrimental to his career if he was dropped after a few poor games.

Are people fair dinkum?

The real injustice would be if Walker was not selected.

Cody Walker has to be in the NSW State of Origin side. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s worth remembering Cleary got his shot last year because of a lack of alternatives, and he hardly set the world on fire during Origin.

That is not having a crack at Cleary, it is being honest.

Maloney was the main playmaker, so if anyone deserves loyalty, it is the veteran playmaker.

Cleary has done exceptionally well to be where he is at 21. But I believe it would be extremely unfair to throw him back into Origin given his form.

Nathan Cleary hardly set the world on fire during last year’s Origin series. Picture: Phil Hillyard

On the flip side, Walker had to wait until he was 26 to make his NRL debut but has soared since.

The Daily Telegraph sought several experts this week to rate the game’s top five players. It was
interesting, if not surprising, that Matty Johns and Greg Alexander voted Walker on top, with Keary second.

Fox Sports Stats also shows in a list of 10 halves candidates available for NSW, Walker is way out in front.

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In a list made up of Keary, Walker, Maloney and Cleary, along with Adam Reynolds, Chad Townsend, Mitchell Pearce, Mitchell Moses, Jack Wighton and Luke Brooks, Walker has most tries (nine), most tackle busts (28), most linebreaks (12), second-most linebreaks assists (10) and second-most try assists (10).

Walker and Keary also have a ­history, having played together at South Sydney.

If there is even a debate as to who should partner Keary, it is Reynolds because of his kicking game and past experience playing alongside Keary.

Originally published as Luke Keary, Cody Walker leading charge to be NSW Blues halves