Play or not play, that’s Mal’s question

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QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga has a big decision to make about Daly Cherry-Evans and it is a call he will need to discuss with his senior players.

Players are always confident of their ability and would never put themselves above the team.

The question for Cherry-Evans, and the one which Mal must consider too, is whether he can get through the entire 80 minutes.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Daly Cherry-Evans at training. Source: News Corp Australia

Queensland had their final session at ANZ Stadium and I believe much of the decision with Daly will depend upon how he pulls up from that run on Tuesday.

I am sure Daly has done everything possible and gone above and beyond what has been asked of him this week to be ready to play.

If you take the field in Origin you have to be confident you will be there at the end regardless of what niggles you take into the game.

Origins are not won in 20 minutes, or 40 minutes or 60 minutes, they are always decided in 80 minutes. Most games come down to the last play.

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Daly needs to be confident his knee will be as strong on that last play as it is on the first.

We have all played with injuries and I think if this was a club game Daly probably would not be considering playing. With knee injuries you tend to always give it another week.

If Daly plays you can rest assured Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston will do all the kicking. Queensland are smart enough to keep Daly protected from players diving at his knees when kicking the ball.

It's fair enough for NSW to tackle and target DCE, but if they adopt illegal tactics then the referees need to be on to that immediately.

WAYNE BENNETT'S NEW ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

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If Cherry Evans is ruled out, the question is whether Ben Hunt is up to it.

There is only one way to find out and everyone has made their debut at some stage and his club form certainly suggests he is ready for the challenge.

What could be the bonus for Queensland is all the attention NSW will give however wears the No.7 jersey.

If they target Daly because of his knee, or focus on Hunt on debut, it just might provide the breathing space Thurston has been craving.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

Will Queensland win and level the Origin series?

Thurston has been the one player NSW have always targeted but if the Blues are intent on putting pressure on the other half it could give JT the breathing room to cause some damage.

I wrote last week that this game was Mal's biggest challenge and from the times I've spoken to him since he has always come across really relaxed and I'm sure that has rubbed off on the players.

Billy has been declared fit earlier than expected which is good news, GI has trained strongly and that is even better.

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Regardless of who plays halfback, you don't have to be Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould or Laurie Daley to figure out that Josh Dugan is going to get some traffic at him.

Laurie could put the best defender ever to play for NSW on that right edge but with Inglis playing and Darius Boyd outside him, the Maroons are going to come down that flank all night long.

It was a big call from the Blues to put Dugan at centre and trying to expose him defensively would be a major focus for the Maroons in training all week.

Daly Cherry-Evans at training. Source: News Corp Australia

NSW were lucky that they had a club coach willing to help the Blues by trialling Dugan at centre in NRL games in recent weeks.

Origin is a different level altogether.

It asks bigger and tougher questions of players than what you ever encounter in the NRL.

It is why some gambles pay off and others are too risky to consider.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mal won’t walk away from coaching post

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MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has declared he will not resign if a NSW victory on Wednesday heralds the demise of the most successful dynasty in Origin history.

Meninga plans to lead the Maroons for a 10th campaign next season, regardless of whether he suffers his first series defeat in Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

Meninga is Origin's greatest coach and there is a belief a Blues triumph could convince the Maroons mentor to pass the baton to assistant Kevin Walters.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Mal Meninga and Cam Smith. Source: News Corp Australia

On the eve of his 26th game as Queensland coach, Meninga says Wednesday's result will have no bearing on his QRL contract, which expires after next year's series.

"My tenure will not driven by the result," Meninga said.

"If we do happen to lose this year, well I don't think that should play any part in whether I retire or not, simple as that.

"Whether I'm doing a good job or not is the key.''

Should Mal Meninga resign as coach if Queensland lose the series?

Meninga, who has won a record 17 of 25 Origin games as coach, is facing greater off-field demands now than when he accepted the Maroons post in 2006.

The 32-game Origin veteran turns 54 next month and admits the birth of his two sons in the past three years has added to family responsibilities away from football.

But Meninga says his passion has not been eroded and will chalk-up a decade as Queensland coach if the players want him on deck next season.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

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"My family situation makes things a little bit harder, but I'm still passionate about what I do and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't," he said.

"I have always maintained that if I believe that I have something to offer, I will keep going, but I will be guided by the players.

"I have had a lot to do with this fantastic group over a long period of time and if they are getting tired of me and I'm not doing a good job in their minds, I'll move on.

"I understand it's important you move on at the right time. But I want to go on. That will be guided by not only how I feel, but how the players feel."

Cam Smith and Mal Meninga at training. Source: News Corp Australia

Meninga has a succession plan in place, adding Walters to his coaching staff this season.

But Walters said he would be surprised if NSW's first series win since 2005 forced Meninga into retirement.

"Mal's as relaxed as possible but everyone is aware of what's at stake," Walters said.

"Regardless of what happens (tonight), I don't see this being the time for Mal to move on.

"He loves it and the boys love working and playing under him. Mal will decide when he feels it's right to go, not when someone else thinks it.

"It will be his call to decide when he's had enough."

WAYNE BENNETT'S NEW ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

Mal Meninga at Queensland State of Origin training. Source: News Corp Australia

Queensland forward Chris McQueen urged Meninga not to walk away.

"I hope he goes on," he said. "He's very passionate, very intense about what we do at Origin level.

"I didn't have a lot to do with him before he came to this team, but he puts the drive into the players to go out and perform for the state."

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Why’s the Hayne Train so hard to stop?

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BLUES sensation Jarryd Hayne is officially the toughest player to tackle in Origin history.

Maroons players on Tuesday night conceded they are almost powerless to stop the Hayne Train steamrolling Queensland's eight-year dynasty in Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

Fox Sports statistics show Hayne is Origin's most destructive ball-runner with 109 tackle busts from 18 Origin appearances, eclipsing Maroons trio Greg Inglis (106 in 22 games), Billy Slater (74 in 23) and Justin Hodges (67 in 19).

MAROONS MUST SNAP DAUNTING ANZ HOODOO

Jarryd Hayne of NSW tackled by Billy Slater. Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues custodian produced a man-of-the-match display in Origin I and Maroons players are on guard for a blockbusting Hayne encore in the return bout on Wednesday night.

"He is starting to realise what he is capable of," Maroons winger Brent Tate said.

"He has threatened to do it the last few years and he has done it a couple of times but week in, week out he is just sublime at the moment.

"I don't know ... I don't think we're ever going to stop him."

Jarryd Hayne takes on the defence. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne has been the thorn in Queensland's side ever since he entered the Origin arena and it is no coincidence NSW have won three of his past four Origin starts.

Former Queensland lock Billy Moore warned the Maroons the loss of injured Blues brothers Josh and Brett Morris could make Hayne even more potent on Wednesday.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Will Queensland win and level the Origin series?

"Before Game One, I feared he would be the danger and unfortunately I was correct," Moore said.

"If anything, Hayne will be even more important because the loss of the Morris boys are huge blows and they will look to Jarryd at every opportunity in attack.

"Hayne fatigued Queensland by constantly challenging the line and asking questions of their defence.

"Hayne is someone they will definitely look to nullify."

Ask Queensland players why Hayne is the toughest man to bring down and they talk about his size, speed, vision and footwork. Most of all, they talk about his size.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

Jarryd Hayne makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is officially listed as 100kg, but Queensland think he is bigger than almost every forward in the Maroons pack.

"He is a pretty big human, I think he is 106kg or something," Maroons forward Matt Gillett said.

"He is a big fullback with his size and is pretty strong and hard to handle with his good footwork.

"If we can cut him down and everyone does their best on him it will help us a lot and probably slow them down a bit.

"In that first game I came out a little bit ahead of the line and he was straight through the hole. You just don't know what he is going to do.

"He is probably a step ahead of you every time."

Jarryd Hayne celebrates the win in game one. Source: News Corp Australia

HURRICANE HAYNE

Most tackle busts in State of Origin since 2002.

# Busts # Games

Jarryd Hayne # 109 # 18

Greg Inglis # 106 # 22

Billy Slater # 74 # 23

Justin Hodges # 67 # 19

Johnathan Thurston # 60 # 28

Source: Fox Sports Stats

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kent: Blues heading for an ambush

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ON TUESDAY Queensland's spiritual leader, the Reverend Billy Moore, said the Blues were "on the cusp" of winning the Origin series, in the best position they had been for years, and with that little statement of overkill the ruse was finally up.

All the language heading into Wednesday's game has an air of inevitability.

NSW is "on the verge ..."

The Blues "are set to end ..."

DCE TRAINS STRONGLY DURING CAPTAIN'S RUN

Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia

"Queensland's eight year Origin streak ...", spoken about as if it is an absolute, a number to grow no higher.

If Rev Moore is talking like all the Maroons can do is turn up and play their part in NSW's coronation, then as sure as bananas are served in Bowraville the Blues are heading for an ambush.

The poor old Blues are trying hard to stay clear eyed.

Over the weekend NSW vice-captain Robbie Farah revealed there was a different mindset in camp this preparation. Aware they have been caught planning their parade before, Farah told Triple M that they were approaching Wednesday's game as if it was a decider.

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Forget about there being a third game in three weeks. The Blues know how difficult it will be to win that game and want to make the most of the opportunity they earned on Wednesday night with their tremendous win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium last month.

Wednesday's approach is all or nothing.

Should the Blues expect an ambush from the Maroons in game two?

Only problem is, Queensland has been too quiet. Oh, some will argue the daily injury updates and debate over Daly Cherry-Evans and Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, and whether Ben Hunt will find himself in the game and was Brent Tate really put in a dangerous position, all add up to a whole lot of noise.

But it's just white noise, really. Not a bit of it means anything once the game starts.

More importantly, when was the last time we heard from Johnathan Thurston? Or Cameron Smith?

Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston have been very quiet in the lead up to game two. Source: News Corp Australia

For Blues fans, that is terrifying. While the conversation has been going on Thurston and Smith sit in the eye of the storm, barely distracted. They have had nothing more taxing demanded of them than to prepare for their game. There is no worse place NSW could ask them to be.

Thurston's performance in the final 30 minutes of Game I was every bit as dominant as Jarryd Hayne's game for NSW, he just fell on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

History remembers the winners, and all that.

In the first 50 minutes Thurston had 16 touches. In the final 30 he had 41.

Most players are hard pressed to have 40 possessions in a game. Thurston did that in the final half-hour as he demanded the ball time and again and taunted a Blues defence that was heroic in its execution, which it needed to be.

QLD SHOULD STOP UNDERDOG ACT

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Smith was playing injured most of this time, his ankle hindering him.

No player has the control to his game like Smith, though, and no player regularly has a greater influence on the result.

Often we hear the good judges talk of the Smith's greatness and for all us laymen here, conditioned to watching the great ballrunners, we struggle to pick up the subtleties they speak about.

Smith controls the entire game from dummy-half. The speed and strategy all lie with him. And he is good enough that if you game plan to shut him down, closing down the routes he likes to use, he adjusts his game to find another way.

Few players in the game can change their entire game, on the run, to fool their opposition.

Billy Slater. Members rides a bike during a Maroons training session. Source: News Corp Australia

On top of that, Slater will be his very best. He hurt his knee in last year's World Cup and the professional diagnosis was he was that he was gone for six weeks.

This was a terrible inconvenience for Tim Sheens and his Australian side, as the World Cup final was a fortnight away.

Yet Slater not only got himself right, but scored Australia's first try with one of those high leaps and then went on to score another as he starred for Australia.

He can play with injury.

This is what the Blues contend with on Wednesday night, an opponent who for all the stones being kicked after Game I still matched them at two tries all, and who go into game two with a spoonful of hope, more than a dash of underdog, and the prayers of Rev Moore.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wally’s nephew primed to battle Blues

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HE IS the first Lewis to wear Queensland's No.6 jersey in almost a quarter of a century and Wally's 17-year-old nephew Lachlan has a pass even ''The King'' raves about.

A lanky playmaker who will end up near 190cm in height, Lachlan will play five-eighth for Queensland's under-18 team against the Blues in Wednesday night's State of Origin II curtain-raiser.

Lachlan was starstruck as he tried to defend against Greg Inglis's palm on Sunday morning when the teenagers took on the Maroons in an opposed session. Lachlan is the son of Wally's younger brother Scott, whose Broncos career was cut short by knee injuries.

Lachlan Lewis, nephew of Wally. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

A Canberra Raiders prodigy, Lachlan rejected the Broncos' advances two years ago to show loyalty to the club that signed him when he was 12 years old.

Wally said schedules had often meant he was unable to see his nephew's games in recent years but when he saw him play for Canberra's under-20s team on television recently, he was stunned by his vision.

Lachlan Lewis. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

"I hadn't seen a lot of him recently but I watched him play for Canberra in the under-20s and he threw a pass that was timed so well and put his player through the line, and I thought 'that's a pass that shows real footy instinct'," Wally said.

"Scott deserves all the credit in building him to where he is.

''He is the one who has taught him. In terms of football I haven't had a lot to do with Lachlan, just through work often not allowing me to see his games.

"He's a really good kid though but there's a lot of hard work from here to make the next level."

Lachlan, who was born four years after Wally's final match in '92, said his uncle's incredible career for Queensland inspired him.

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"It is not just advice, it is him proving to me Queensland's spirit and how much fun it can be to play NSW," Lachlan said with a cheeky grin.

"He's just my uncle. He is just part of the family.

"He played footy and so did everyone else in my family.

''It was all pretty normal."

Lachlan knows how tough an athletic career can be.

His father was very talented until his knee gave out, while he also gains inspiration from his sister, who is carving out a ballet career in America and has performed alongside pop star Lady Gaga.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Are they spraying shaving cream on the pitch?

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WORLD Cup viewers around the globe are asking the same question right now: what is that magical vanishing spray the referees are using on the field?

Referees are using a spray similar to shaving foam to stop defenders from edging closer to the ball during free-kicks in Brazil.

Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura sprays a line after calling for a free kick during the World Cup opener between Croatia and Brazil. Source: AFP

The ref sprays the water-based foam in a circle around the ball, walks 10 yards and sprays another line that the defenders need to stand behind.

Then, magically, the spray vanishes.

Well, maybe not magically. The can contains water and butane gas. The butane expands when the pressure changes and quickly evaporates, leaving just the water on the ground.

Ivorian referee Noumandiez Doue sprays a free kick marker on the pitch during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia. Source: AFP

Players, constantly looking for any advantage they can get, would often encroach on the 10-yard area they are supposed to stand behind, but this measure allows referees to police the problem much more easily.

The product has been used in domestic leagues in Brazil and Argentina but is making its first appearance — and disappearance — at international level.

Referee Wilmar Roldan sprays the temporary line for a free kick as Benjamin Moukandjo and Enoh Eyong of Cameroon form a wall. Source: Getty Images

Australian referee Ben Williams joked it was like "pulling a can of Mace", while English official Howard Webb suggested it could lead to more goals being scored from set pieces.

"It will assist us in getting the players back at a free-kick and, in turn, that gives the attacking team a better opportunity of creating something from that set piece," Webb told the BBC.

Unsurprisingly, the spray has become a hit on social media. A Facebook page is dedicated to it and there is no shortage of memes.

... It does now. Source: Twitter

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coal Train almost quit league for NFL

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THREE years ago Dave Taylor almost quit rugby league to pursue an opportunity to trial for a career in the NFL.

As Taylor prepares for his return to rugby league's biggest arena for Queensland on Wednesday night, it can be revealed that a conversation in Maroons camp in 2011 almost convinced the 122kg backrower to walk away from the NRL forever.

Taylor met former NFL star Colin Scotts during an Origin camp and was told he had the potential to make a career for himself playing American Football.

TIME FOR COAL TRAIN TO HIT TOP SPEED

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Dave Taylor at Queensland State of Origin training. Source: News Corp Australia

At the time Taylor was playing for South Sydney and genuinely considered pursuing the option, to the point that dates and locations were locked in for camps and trials in the US.

Taylor was just weeks away from asking South Sydney for permission to head to the US for trials over Christmas, a move that could potentially have led to a release from the final year of his contract at the Rabbitohs.

The Rockhampton junior had to weigh up the interests of his young family, who desperately wanted to move back to Queensland, and the financial risk of tearing up a $400,000 NRL contract for no guaranteed success in the US.

BIG DOG TAYLOR TO BE LET OFF ORIGIN LEASH

SMITH RACKS UP AIR MILES FOR ORIGIN

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Ultimately it was his family's needs, his love of rugby league and the desire to claim higher rep honours for Queensland and Australia that helped convinced Taylor to remain in the game.

"He was genuinely interested in it," Taylor's manager Col Davis confirmed.

"It was an idea Dave had but I never got to the point of asking South Sydney because it was all just too hard.

"It was canned because he would have needed three weeks off training to go do it.

"But really at the end of the day Dave wanted to be a Queensland and Australia player too and I think being back in Origin he would think he has made the right decision."

TOUGH MAN SCOTT MAROONS TOP TARGET

HOW GUERRA AND PEARCE CLEANED UP ACT

Dave Taylor and Israel Folau celebrate an Origin win in 2010. Source: News Limited

Taylor and his family returned to Queensland when he signed with the Gold Coast Titans for 2013 and his strong performances this season have helped him finally win his position back in the Origin team.

He might seem nonchalant towards his football, but there is no more passionate Queenslander than Taylor as shown by his emotional one-fingered salute after the 2012 series decider.

Returning to Maroons camp for the first time last week, Taylor was as excited as any rookie and keeping him level-headed has been a major focus for Queensland.

HAGAN CHECKS PLAN OF ATTACK

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He was greeted in camp by the sledgehammer comment from coach Mal Meninga that Taylor had never done the job for Queensland in his past six Origins.

Skipper Cameron Smith on Monday outlined clear and concise guidelines he wants the 25-year-old to follow to be a valuable contributor to the Maroons on Wednesday night.

Crucially, Smith believes Queensland will see a different Dave Taylor to the one that last graced the Origin arena in 2012.

MENINGA FACES CHERRY-EVANS GAMBLE

A dejected Dave Taylor. Source: News Limited

"I think you might see a different Dave Taylor now he has got another opportunity to put himself in a good position as far as playing a fair few games for Queensland now," Smith said.

"I just think Dave needs to just have a simple mindset and think he has to go out and play like he does for the Titans.

"When he gets the ball just run as hard as he can and make it hard for the Blues to stop him.

"We played the Titans early in the year and he was almost unstoppable. "We all know it's a different brand of footy in State of Origin, but that doesn't take away his ability to run hard and be a threat to the Blues."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gallen reveals ASADA baby anguish

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ON the eve of perhaps his greatest moment, NSW skipper Paul Gallen has opened up about the mental anguish ASADA's investigation has taken on him and Cronulla.

A candid Gallen has spoken about how he has been forced to deal with 19 months of damaging innuendo as the ASADA supplements drama continues to hover menacingly over the game.

Gallen yesterday revealed:

* How the investigation has prevented he and wife Anne from having another child.

* Young Sharks players have endured "mental health issues".

* Other players have been medicated.

* Sharks staff and officials have been hospitalised.

* How the NRL has done little to help.

Paul Gallen and wife Anne at the 2013 Dally M Awards. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

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Thirty-four Essendon players from their 2012 squad have been given show-cause notices by ASADA over their supplements saga, and speculation continues that Cronulla will be next.

Gallen is trying to push the saga to one side as he prepares to lead NSW in a bid to end Queensland's eight-year series reign on Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium.

Paul Gallen trains with NSW in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"Put it this way, I would have had another kid by now if this wasn't going on. So it's been horrendous, it's been disgraceful," Gallen said.

"It has impacted lives. I know we have had players medicated, we have had staff and officials who have been hospitalised. It's terrible, it's terrible. I don't think any of the players aren't worried about it. I didn't watch The Footy Show last week but I think a couple of guys got on there and spoke about some mental health issues.

Paul Gallen has opened up on the ASADA scandal. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Paul Gallen trains with the Blues. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"It made me shake my head. I think the NRL has had the biggest (mental health) in history right under its nose and basically done nothing about it. That's very, very frustrating for me because what I have seen some young guys go through the past 17 or 18 months has been disgraceful. They're still going through it and, as I say, we still don't know what's going on.

"I will go into it one day. I am not going to go into it now. As I said, some very young guys, what they have had to go through, has been too much. As far as I am concerned there has been very little help."

Gallen said he has personally intervened in an attempt to bring the ongoing dispute to a head. "Last year was so intense with it all and this year it seems to come up every couple of weeks," he said.

Paul Gallen down injured in Origin II. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

"This is as honest an answer as I can give. From day one, from the time Cronulla got brought into it, which was a week or so after that press conference, I don't know anything.

"Nothing has changed for me. I have been told to turn up to a meeting. I turned up at that meeting. Other than that I don't know anything."

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Each day passes and the frustration increases for Gallen, who says the investigation "has just become a part of life".

"Every time it comes up, I just wait for the next phone call or the cameras to be in my face," he said. "Because at the end of the day no one is worried about some of the lesser-named players at Cronulla. They're concerned about me, which has been the most frustrating thing from day one."

The NRL on Monday responded to Gallen's claims. "NRL welfare and education officials have met with the Sharks players many times and offered counselling support. As recently as last week the NRL offered assistance to deal with any anxiety among the Sharks players," a spokesman said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mann on a mission for Melbourne

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RISING Melbourne Storm star Kurt Mann says his stuttering side must find a way to execute better if it is to snap a two-game losing streak.

The clash on the Gold Coast looms as a crucial game. If 11th-placed Storm is defeated, it ­would begin to lose touch with the top eight.

Skipper Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Will Chambers and Ryan Hoffman are on State of Origin duty, but the Titans have their own problems.

They have lost four games in a row and forwards Greg Bird, Nate Myles and David Taylor are unavailable because of Wednesday's Origin II.

Mann was Melbourne's stand-out in the loss to the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia

On top of that, back-rower Paul Carter was last week stood down by the club after a high-range drink driving ­offence in Surfers Paradise.

But Storm players know what the Titans are capable of after they defeated them at AAMI Park in Round 5.

CHAMBERS FREE TO FACE TITANS

"They are a pretty strong side and we know that," Mann said.

"Their defence over the past couple of weeks has been really strong and probably the best part of their game lately. And they have a lot of good attacking players and outside backs.

"Our effort has been good. We just need to work on our execution."

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Storm coach Craig Bellamy will hope Ben Roberts and Ben Hampton can click in the halves as he continues to search for a winning combination in the absence of injured Test halfback Cooper Cronk.

Mann, named in the centres, is likely to move to fullback in place of Cameron Munster after starring at the back in last Sunday week's heavy loss to Sydney Roosters.

"I played most of my footy coming up at fullback," Mann said. "They threw me in the centres (in first grade) and I found my feet there.

"But I'm not sure where I'm playing this weekend. I probably feel most confident at fullback at the moment, but I'm happy to play anywhere."

Mann has proven to be a real prospect for Melbourne in the absence of more established stars. Source: News Corp Australia

The 21-year-old Queenslander has been a revelation for Melbourne this season and signalled his arrival with a match-winning try on debut against Manly last month.

Bellamy labelled him his side's best player in the loss to the Roosters and the youngster said he was starting to feel as if he ­belonged in the NRL.

"I'm definitely getting a bit more confident," Mann said.

"Especially with the speed of the game — I haven't been out on my feet as much as I was at the start. The physical side out of it is what I still need to get used to."

Tonight's game will be the last time Melbourne will be without its Origin stars this season.

Mann urged his teammates to step up in their absence.

"It's a tough period missing a few of our key players," he said. "But it's a good chance for our young blokes to stand up and hopefully put in a good performance."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

No Binge eating earns Titans debut

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CALEB Binge is the Gold Coast rookie who has won his NRL debut after a stunning body transformation to shed excess kilos.

Binge, 20, was told by Titans coach John Cartwright in the off-season that if he ever wanted to realise his play NRL dreams, he would need to make some sacrifices and get in shape.

In one devastating preseason, Binge dropped from 112kg to 100kg and will get his due rewards by making his NRL debut off the bench for the Titans in a must-win clash against Melbourne at Cbus Super Stadium.

Binge tipped the scales at 112kg and has had to work very hard to earn his spot. Source: News Limited

"He has done it the hard way too," Cartwright said.

"We spoke to him and said to go to another level he had to lose some weight and he has pretty much totally transformed himself.

"He tips the scales about 100kg now and he was up about the 112kg so he has worked really hard and certainly deserves his chance."

Binge gets his chance as replacement for suspended Paul Carter, the fiery backrower who was stood down for two games last week after a drink-driving incident.

Cartwright said Binge, a Ballina Seagulls junior who was once in the Broncos system, possessed a similar attitude to Carter and with an ability to play frontrow or on the edges, he would be a handy addition to a team ravaged by injuries and representative duties.

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"He is a bloke I've always thought had a future in first grade strictly on his attitude," Cartwright said.

"He is a very similar player to Paul Carter. He is very aggressive. He doesn't take a backward step and he doesn't care for reputations.

"That is what you look for in guys who haven't played NRL — if they've got that quality it certainly helps when they get to that stage."

CHAMBERS FREE TO FACE TITANS

Titans lock Ashley Harrison will make his return from a neck fracture against the Storm to boost a Gold Coast side missing Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Dave Taylor, Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer.

While much of the focus is the difficulty Melbourne have playing without their big three of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater due to injury or Origin, if anything the Titans are worse hit.

Ashley Harrison returns to boost an under-strength Gold Coast against the Storm. Source: News Corp Australia

Cartwright is confident his men can rise to the challenge and snap a four-game losing streak.

"They're under siege as well, they've got their rep players out and we're in a similar boat I suppose and it's certainly not going to be easy," Cartwright said.

"You look at their pack and Will Chambers looks like he will play. They've still got four Kiwi internationals in their pack.

"We're certainly not underestimating them. We have the best possible side out there we can because we realise how difficult it's going to be.

"It's a crunch game for both clubs too … both clubs are in the same position, equal on the competition table and both desperate to win."

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