Crash Craddock: Why Billy Slater must play Corey Horsburgh in State of Origin Game II

Queensland’s Game II team was deceptively controversial and raised as many questions as answers. One thing is for sure though – Billy Slater must unleash Queensland’s ‘looney factor’, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

It’s red alert time for the Maroons.

Before the first State of Origin game, former Blues enforcer Mark Carroll said Queensland’s pack, while solid enough, lacked a Looney Factor.

It takes a looney to know one and the colourful Spud was spot on.

The Blues had no fear of the Queensland pack in Game One and there’s a risk nothing will change in Games Two unless Queensland unleash the maverick element of Canberra’s former Caboolture Snake Corey Horsburgh.

Red-haired Horsburgh is in the expanded squad and worth a try in the run-on team which still looks a fair way away from being settled.

It’s not guaranteed he would turn the game upside down but it is worth a try.

The Maroons can’t just let Payne Haas rumble up field like he does with his routine 150m plus running metres.

They need a disrupter-aggressor in the Gorden Tallis mould.

NO CHERRY ON TOP

The focus of Slater’s first media session was on the sacking of Daly Cherry-Evans which was controversial because he didn’t cost them victory in game one.

Slater paid a warm tribute without giving away the reason for dropping his skipper.

Cherry-Evans was a prisoner of the efforts of pack playing as if they were playing with bow and arrows against a team armed with mortar guns.

If the forwards perform poorly again the fate of Cherry-Evans’ replacement, Tom Dearden, will be sealed.

Daly Cherry-Evans’ Origin career is effectively over. Picture: NRL photos

Slater indirectly acknowledged this when he said Dearden needed support.

Dearden is tough. He’s a great story after leaving the Broncos with chewed down finger nails and his self-esteem at bootlace level and reviving himself at the Cowboys.

There’s something endearing and comforting about the selection of a player who has been to hell and back.

This, however, will be a supreme test of his kicking game which is not as polished as Cherry-Evans.

MAM SHOCK

The selection of Ezra Mam three games back from a major suspension after his role in a car crash which injured three people is one which will not be embraced by a lot of league fans who feel Mam should still be suspended.

That opinion is fair enough.

Mam has had two good games for the Broncos but 18th man is as close to the action as he is likely to be.

Was it really worth the hassle of including him when he won’t get a run?

Ezra Mam was surprise selection. Picture: Adam Head

NO BEAU

Titans forward Beau Fermor was a surprise axing.

His numbers have been excellent this season and there were worse forwards than him in game one.

Slater gave an interesting throwaway line when he said his side had to be prepared “to take the long road home.’’

In rugby league the long road is actually the shortest road – up the middle.

It seemed to be a hint that Queensland, for all their backline flair, may have to be patient and grind it out.

Originally published as Crash Craddock: Why Billy Slater must play Corey Horsburgh in State of Origin Game II