Monday Bunker: Full analysis of Game 1 State of Origin teams

The teams are in for the 2019 State of Origin series opener and there’s one question to be answered: did the selectors get it right?Watch analysis from the Monday Bunker panel.

The teams are in for the 2019 State of Origin series opener and there’s one question to be answered: did the selectors get it right?

Both teams feature fresh faces, with Brad Fittler calling on five rookies to his victorious Blues side and Kevin Walkers welcome three newcomers to the Maroons.

But the biggest talking point has been the selection of Nathan Cleary as NSW’s halfback. Cleary helped guide the Blues to a breakthrough series triumph in 2018, but the struggles of his club side Penrith this season have raised concerns.

The Monday Bunker panel were split on Cleary winning the No.7 jersey.

“I still question the Nathan Cleary selection,” Paul Crawley said.

WATCH! The Monday Bunker, hosted by Tim Gilbert and featuring Fatima Kdouh, Paul Crawley and Peter Gleeson dissect both State of Origin teams Watch in the player above.

Nathan Cleary is back for the Blues. Picture: Brett Costello

“I really hope the kid goes out and plays the lights out but I still think on form this year ... there are so many contenders.

“If you’re going to pick Cody Walker, I would have gone with Adam Reynolds (as halfback). And if you’re going to go stick with Nathan Cleary I would have gone with (James) Maloney (at five-eighth).

“Freddie’s backed himself, he’s backed the team, he’s backed Nathan Cleary - I love that about him. You listen to Nathan Cleary, he is such a wonderful young man. The only concern I have is that he hasn’t been in great form but Freddie’s put the trust in him.”

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Fellow panellist Fatima Kdouh said Cleary deserved to retain his NSW spot.

“People keep referring to how well he was going last year and that the Panthers were top four (when he was selected for NSW),” she said.

“He only played two games of footy before Freddie picked him, Freddie gave him a very distinct plan to execute in Origin and he did that well. He hasn’t done anything to lose his spot in that side.

“People talk about Nathan Cleary not being in form. The thing is the form that Nathan Cleary is in is just Nathan Cleary form. You look at his average key attacking stats for last year, compare them to what he’s produced this season and they’re tracking almost identically.”

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Originally published as Monday Bunker: Full analysis of Game 1 State of Origin teams