State of Origin 2021: Titans dynamo Corey Thompson eyes Queensland selection
He’s flown under the Origin radar for years but Corey Thompson could be in line for a dream debut after running rings around the Maroon incumbents.
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Titans dynamo Corey Thompson has thrown his hat in the ring for Origin selection as he prepares to come up against Maroons talent Xavier Coates in Friday’s Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium.
The 30-year-old is often the forgotten man when it comes to Origin but Queensland selectors can’t ignore his form so far this year as the dynamic winger eyes an Origin debut.
According to Fox Sports Lab statistics, Thompson is running rings around the other Maroons outside back contenders – players like Dane Gagai, Kyle Feldt, Valentine Holmes, Corey Allan, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Coates.
Of that group, Thompson averages the most run metres per game (190m) and is equal highest tryscorer (six) with Coates.
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He has managed to break through 47 tackles – Holmes is next best on 32 – and his 12 linebreaks in seven games is the highest in the NRL.
With State of Origin officially launched in Melbourne this week, Thompson said he would be honoured to pull on the Maroons jersey later this year.
“I am 100 per cent keen and would give everything I have if I was selected and would do my best to do Queensland proud,” Thompson said.
“At the same time, all I am trying to do is play well for the Titans each week.
“I just prepare the best I can and show the staff I deserve to be picked.
“If I continue to do that and opportunities open up with representative, then I would be 100 per cent stoked and would give everything I had if I was selected.”
Thompson was born and bred in the heart of Brisbane, playing his juniors for Easts Mount Gravatt before moving to Sydney at 21-years-old to play for the Bulldogs.
“I remember dad used to take me to Suncorp when it was just one grandstand and a hill,” he said.
“I remember watching all those old games there, either the Broncos or Queensland.
“It would be a crazy, surreal feeling if the opportunity came along (to play for the Maroons) but I’m just really trying to play well for the Titans.”
Thompson returns to the spot which sparked his love of rugby league, when he runs on to Suncorp Stadium tonight to face the Broncos in the latest instalment of the Queensland derby.
The 178cm winger is expecting to mark up against the 194cm Coates in tonight’s match but was confident he would be able to contain him.
“I marked Xavier when we played the Broncos last time,” he said.
“He’s a great talent and when he’s on his game, he’s really good.
“We’ve worked hard to try to neutralise him and I’ll just try to put in another strong performance like last time.
“It just comes down to trying to match it with him and work a bit harder.”
| 2021 Stats | C. Thompson | D. Gagai | K. Feldt | V. Holmes | C. Allan | R. Mulitalo | X. Coates |
| Tries | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Runs PG | 15.9 | 15.6 | 12 | 14 | 13.1 | 11 | 11.3 |
| Metres PG | 190 | 134 | 104 | 156 | 106 | 89 | 110 |
| Post Contact MPG | 54 | 42 | 31 | 41 | 29 | 25 | 22 |
| Tackle Busts | 47 | 30 | 9 | 32 | 6 | 12 | 12 |
| Linebreaks | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
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