NRL: Why Matt Ballin shouldn't fill in for Cameron Smith as QLD Hooker?

Actually, I like your thinking alot Fisty. I guess being around your playmaker more and knowing how they play is always useful for a rep side. NSW got Kimmorley and Ennis (should be Moltzen and Farah lol :) and it would be cool if QLD did the same thing. Because Thurston and Smith are always making the rep sides, they probably know where the other player likes to be on the field etc so they got a good combo. Payne would be a nice choice for Thurston at hooker, I reckon they wouldn't lose as much as they thought they would with the loss of Smith.

At the moment I think it's up in the air but your explaination could help out Payne get over the line first.

So in order of skill or importance you mean yeah?

I do agree that club combos are lethal (look at QLD and AUS and the Storm players).

I dont think in rep footy this should be a consideration though because to me it should be based on form, performance, experience, skill and fitness.

If the Blues camp (NSWRL) were doing their jobs properly and getting the Blues players and juniors into camps and bonding sessions - we wouldnt be 4-0 and debating our 6-7 combo which is to me one of the most important combo's in the team. We are weeks out and there are no definites (but we all know the QLD shoe-ins).

In the QLD camp they already know their combos and their future players through the recruiting process they have up there. They fly players around for camps and dinners and have the Maroon Origin focus almost year round. As a result even if Smith or Thurston were out they would have players to slot in regardless of their club partnerships.

I dunno thats just my opinion but I can see what you mean totally - its a good point actually.

Brilliant Question. Selectors of NSW need some education like this...

Truth be told, Your combination theory makes sense.

Jonathan Thurston and Cameron Smith will be fit to play tho...

I think club combinations are pretty important in rep footy because you really don't get that much time to work out combinations in rep footy, like only a week or two so if you already have good combinations between say 1,6,7,9 then it makes rep footy just that little bit easier.

You make a good point.

Yes team combos are important that is why NSW should have

4. Cooper

5. B Morris

and...

7. Kimmorley

9. Ennis

But yeah I agree with you

I see your point, but shouldn't skill also be important? No doubt Friend, and Payne are talented yet Matty is pretty underrated.

It will be so good to see this bloke playing if he gets picked, works so hard for us.

you had me after i read the question lol, yeh i hate ballin and all manly players, but probably cos im an eels fan haha

so, what are you trying to say?