Finch emerges as Origin league bolter

[Matty]

Sydney Roosters halfback Brett Finch has again emerged as a possible NSW Origin bolter with Country selectors poised to throw him a representative lifeline for next week's clash with City.

Injuries and withdrawals have left the Blues halfback and five-eighth playing stocks decidedly thin ahead of the opening State of Origin rugby league match on May 24.

Manly star Matt Orford is quickly shaping as the Blues top choice for the No.7 jersey.

But Finch, whose one and only Origin appearance came in 2004, may yet get a chance to play himself into contention after NSW Country chairman of selectors Jock Cooley said the 24-year-old was their leading candidate for halfback in next Friday's match in Dubbo.

"I've spoken to Brett Finch and he's very, very keen to play," Cooley said.

"He's the main guy. He can play an organising type role, which would suit the side and suit what (coach) Craig Bellamy wants.

"When I rang Brett Finch up he said 'gee I'd give me right arm for Country'."

City and Country name their teams for the annual clash on Sunday afternoon, with Australian players from Friday's Test ineligible for selection.

The NSW and Queensland teams for the State of Origin I will be announced next Monday week.

Three of the Blues leading half options - Andrew Johns, Trent Barrett (both retired from representative football) and Brett Kimmorley (injured for Origin I) - are all unavailable for NSW.

Penrith half Craig Gower and the Dragons' Mathew Head are also under heavy injury clouds, with both set to miss this weekend's NRL round.

Gower's absence should open the door for Orford to be named at half for City, and push the former Melbourne playmaker on track for a first Blues jersey.

Country officials had hoped to claim Orford back as one of their own this year after the Gosford junior had been allowed to switch to City five years ago, but the Australian Rugby League rejected the move.

After an inconsistent start to the season playing at hooker, Finch has begun running into form in recent weeks after switching back to halfback.

His performance in guiding the Roosters to last week's upset of league leaders North Queensland in Townsville was generally regarded as his best game in two years.

"And we'd dearly love to see that continue this weekend," Cooley said.

Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta will likely partner Orford in the halves for City, with Sharks pivot Adam Dykes another consideration.

Newcastle's Kurt Gidley, Panthers playmaker Preston Campbell and the Dragons' Ben Hornby, were all under consideration for the Country five-eighth post, Cooley said.

After missing out on an Australian jumper, Barrett was a certainty for Country selection before announcing he would step down from representative duties as part of his move to Wigan next year.

Cooley admitted Barrett's announcement had thrown an unwanted headache into the selection process.

"Particularly coming at this late stage, if we would have known a little bit earlier it would have been easier, but he's been a great servant to Country, NSW and Australia, so it's just disappointing that's all," said Cooley.

Country lost another one of its servants with Newcastle centre Matthew Gidley, 28, announcing his retirement from rep footy.

"To play for your country is a privilege, but I think you have to be realistic and know when it's time to make way for the game's future," said Gidley.

Courtesy of Nrl.com

What do you think?

[ThornoSR]

Yeah CMON FINCHY!!!:D

[RoosterBoy]

There is a chance but I don't think he really deserves it.

[cowboy-4-life]

Im gonna' throw a hobo of a bridge if Finch is chosen.:mad::p

[Manero]

Im gonna' throw a hobo of a bridge if Finch is chosen.:mad::p

lol, I hope he gets picked. :p

[go you roosters]

LMFAO..for the sake of rugby league i hope not...although he is a rooster he doesnt deserve it lmao

But here is an interesting fact for you all:

The Roosters half combination of Braith Anasta and Brett Finch lead the way in the NRL when it comes to their effective tackle percentages, with Brett Finch at 93% and Braith Anasta at 86%.


Here are the other halfs stats

Season 2006 Avg Tackles, Avg Missed Tackles ,Effective Tackle (%)


Panthers
Preston Campbell 5 2 63
Craig Gower 14 3 77


Dragons
Trent Barrett 12 3 73
Mathew Head 6 3 68


Melbourne
Cooper Cronk 13 2 80
Scott Hill 17 5 72


Souths
John Sutton 17 5 74
Ben Walker 10 2 78


Cowboys
Johnathan Thurston 13 2 77
Brett Firman 11 2 78


Brisbane
Darren Lockyer 13 4 70
Brett Seymour 17 7 69


Brisbane
Darren Lockyer 13 4 70
Brett Seymour 17 7 69

Tigers
Benji Marshall 10 2 81
Scott Prince 15 4 72


Roosters
Braith Anasta 16 2 86
Brett Finch 21 1 93


Bulldogs
Daniel Holdsworth 19 3 84
Brent Sherwin 12 3 76


Newcastle
Andrew Johns 16 2 79
Kurt Gidley 20 3 81


Warriors
Nathan Fien 16 4 73
Jerome Ropati 24 2 86


Eels
Tim Smith 19 2 83
John Morris 21 1 90


Cronulla
Adam Dykes 22 3 84
Brett Kimmorley 21 7 67


Manly
Matt Orford 13 2 78
Travis Burns 33 5 81


Canberra
Jason Smith 23 3 86
Lincoln Withers 25 4 76

[MackTheKnife]

Because we all know how much an "effective tackling rate" is when you are the playmaker :rolleyes:

if we play finch NSW will lose. Simple as that.

[cowboy-4-life]

lol, I hope he gets picked. :p
LOL

Step 1: Find Hobo....

[go you roosters]

Because we all know how much an "effective tackling rate" is when you are the playmaker :rolleyes:

if we play finch NSW will lose. Simple as that.

Ye i know..i just thought id post those up for no reason lol

Finch will not play Origin IMO...maybe Johns will:p

[Manero]

LOL

Step 1: Find Hobo....

Look in a mirror and seek no further.

Nah, after SOO 1, after a mob attacks Finch, he may be force to be a hobo and you can take the missery out, by throwing him of a bridge.

[cowboy-4-life]

Look in a mirror and seek no further.

Nah, after SOO 1, after a mob attacks Finch, he may be force to be a hobo and you can take the missery out, by throwing him of a bridge.
LMAOooo thats good enough:p

[Rusty FB]

Season 2006 Avg Tackles, Avg Missed Tackles ,Effective Tackle (%)


Brisbane
Darren Lockyer 13 4 70
Brett Seymour 17 7 69


Brisbane
Darren Lockyer 13 4 70
Brett Seymour 17 7 69


Roosters
Braith Anasta 16 2 86
Brett Finch 21 1 93


Eels
Tim Smith 19 2 83
John Morris 21 1 90




1. I don't think Bronx deserve two mentions.

2. WTF with Morris & Finch?

[go you roosters]

1. I don't think Bronx deserve two mentions.

2. WTF with Morris & Finch?

oops my bad

and ye morris and finch are very close...but finch is better:p

[Prince_of_the_Sea]

If finch makes origin 1 i'll take a photo of my meat and potatos and post them on this forum. :D :o :p :rolleyes:

[go you roosters]

If finch makes origin 1 i'll take a photo of my meat and potatos and post them on this forum. :D :o :p :rolleyes:

Now i rlly hope finch doesnt make origin:p

[Bulldogs_4_life]

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[hopelesshark]

finch? origin?......... kiss my ass lmao

[go you roosters]

nah it will not happen dont worry...the only chance he will make origin is if he locks anasta, dykes, orford, hill and all possible NSW half candidates in a closet:p

[Rusty FB]

nah it will not happen dont worry...the only chance he will make origin is if he locks anasta, dykes, orford, hill and all possible NSW half candidates in a closet:p


I think that's the whole point of the article. Johns, Barret, Gower, *coughs* Kimmorley, etc, are already out of City v Country so Finch may get a run.

[go you roosters]

i dunno i think there is a slight chance johns will play origin again

[bronco]

Please let Finch play origin

[Alec]

i dunno i think there is a slight chance johns will play origin again

Johns might pull of a Freddy Fitler.

[Capital_Shark]

You gotta be happy to be a QLDer huh. NSW's answer to a retiring Andrew Johns is BRETT FINCH?!? If he does get the job, which I doubt, Wednesday 25th May is gonna be a long night for the blues.

[Alec]

You gotta be happy to be a QLDer huh. NSW's answer to a retiring Andrew Johns is BRETT FINCH?!? If he does get the job, which I doubt, Wednesday 25th May is gonna be a long night for the blues.

I have a feeling a new era is approaching for us QLDers.

[Matty]

I really hope Finch doesn't get it. If Gower's not injured or Ofored should definately get it.

[ThornoSR]

Lets say Orford and Gower get injured and Finch gets the call..
What would yous say.. i mean who else is up for at halfback?

[Matty]

Matt Head. :)

[ThornoSR]

Matt Head. :)
forgot about him..
but he hasnt payed much footy this year

[Hazem't got magic]

It won't be origin if Finch is even watching, let alone playing.

[MAROONS 80]

I have a feeling a new era is approaching for us QLDers.
i agree completely. They'll have all these players bowing out while we have the future in our team. There will no doubt be debuts in that 1st origin for hunt and inglis plus possibly tronc, stagg, scott. The future's looking very good for QLD. I'd go as far as to say that at the moment, nsw would pick prince ahead of who'll they eventually play and he won't even make the QLD team. It's the opposite of 5 yrs ago. Just as Johns and Barret and kennedy are retiring, our youngsters are coming up. It's a great time to be a qlder. On the finch selection. I would laugh my head off if he's chosen. I'd have soward over him!

[Hazem't got magic]

There are so many beter half backs than Finch, this is great news for the maroons.

[Prince_of_the_Sea]

I have a feeling a new era is approaching for us QLDers.
I have the same feeling about nz test football with johns and the others retiring

[MAROONS 80]

I have the same feeling about nz test football with johns and the others retiring
i don't know whether you're so lucky because there are still good players coming through in australia. Australia can replace the players that we lose. Thurston in for johns etc. The players are there. NSW cannot. Also, nz need a good halfback to succeed.

[Prince_of_the_Sea]

i don't know whether you're so lucky because there are still good players coming through in australia. Australia can replace the players that we lose. Thurston in for johns etc. The players are there. NSW cannot. Also, nz need a good halfback to succeed.
Bro i dont know about up in qld but here in nsw all the best jnrs are kiwis, that are coming through we are starting to dominate jnr football here in nsw, i always thought that was the reason Gus gould wanted to allow kiwis to play origin.

[MAROONS 80]

Bro i dont know about up in qld but here in nsw all the best jnrs are kiwis, that are coming through we are starting to dominate jnr football here in nsw, i always thought that was the reason Gus gould wanted to allow kiwis to play origin.
that would be the biggest farce! ONE, the reason state of origin is so great is because it's state versus state. TWO, nsw are going to benefit much more from it due to there being more mrl teams in nsw. If each team in the comp has 1 young kiwi coming up through the ranks. There'd be 2 in qld and about 11 in nsw. It just wouldn't be fair.

[Prince_of_the_Sea]

Bro i dont know about up in qld but here in nsw all the best jnrs are kiwis, that are coming through we are starting to dominate jnr football here in nsw, i always thought that was the reason Gus gould wanted to allow kiwis to play origin.
that would be the biggest farce! ONE, the reason state of origin is so great is because it's state versus state. TWO, nsw are going to benefit much more from it due to there being more mrl teams in nsw. If each team in the comp has 1 young kiwi coming up through the ranks. There'd be 2 in qld and about 11 in nsw. It just wouldn't be fair.
Hey im not disputing the fact its wrong just giving my reason as to why gould wanted us in there

[Prince EWS]

I'd honestly be happier with Finch in a sky blue jersey than Orford. Orford can't step up.

[MAROONS 80]

I'd honestly be happier with Finch in a sky blue jersey than Orford. Orford can't step up.
i agree with that but finch is pretty bad also. I'd be picking kimmorley once he comes back and maybe gower. If not, then i'd go with wing over finch and orford.

[go you roosters]

I'd honestly be happier with Finch in a sky blue jersey than Orford. Orford can't step up.

Johns FTW!:p

[Prince EWS]

i agree with that but finch is pretty bad also. I'd be picking kimmorley once he comes back and maybe gower. If not, then i'd go with wing over finch and orford.

Gower is my first choice if he's fit for the game, but a long, long margin. After that I'd reluctantly have to opt for Kimmorley. Picking players like Finch and Orford is really scraping the barrell.

[hopelesshark]

id like to get head

[ThornoSR]

id like to get head
joke is over buddy..so last month:p

[hopelesshark]

i was talking about the SOO halfback position. i think he is the best man for the job if he was fit

[ThornoSR]

i was talking about the SOO halfback position. i think he is the best man for the job if he was fit
ok mate....:p

[mud]

johns is going to do a freddy fitler and alan langer... i think that last nite's match wasn't a good enough fairy tale for him. he'll be back.

But If he doesn't come back ... As a QLDer I'll be stoked if finch plays for NSW because he's not up for origin. finch? noddy? gower? orford? Anasta?.. NSW are looking pretty thin in the halves...I think THE time has finally come for QLD!!!!! WOHOO!!

[ThornoSR]

johns is going to do a freddy fitler and alan langer... i think that last nite's match wasn't a good enough fairy tale for him. he'll be back.

But If he doesn't come back ... As a QLDer I'll be stoked if finch plays for NSW because he's not up for origin. finch? noddy? gower? orford? Anasta?.. NSW are looking pretty thin in the halves...I think THE time has finally come for QLD!!!!! WOHOO!!
yeh he will be back for the last game IMO this is how i see the nsw halves go in each round

Game 1

7.Finch/Gower
6.Anasta

Game 2

7. Gower
6. Anasta

Game 3

7. Johns
6. Anasta

[Ritalindude]

[QUOTE=mud]johns is going to do a freddy fitler and alan langer[QUOTE]
Alan Langer did the whole SOO comeback fairytale thing heaps better though.

[hopelesshark]

i think nsw are screwed this year. but then again we did win a series with gower and timmins as our half combo in the past

[mud]

yeh he will be back for the last game IMO this is how i see the nsw halves go in each round

Game 1

7.Finch/Gower
6.Anasta

Game 2

7. Gower
6. Anasta

Game 3

7. Johns
6. Anasta

Yeah, i agree but they might give orford a go instead of finch.

[mud]

[QUOTE=mud]johns is going to do a freddy fitler and alan langer[QUOTE]
Alan Langer did the whole SOO comeback fairytale thing heaps better though.

Yeah Langer's comeback was so much better than fitlers. Fitler's was predictable.. as is joey's...

[hopelesshark]

finch's name even being mentioned is a joke

[ThornoSR]

Yeah Langer's comeback was so much better than fitlers. Fitler's was predictable.. as is joey's...
How was Fittlers come back predictable?

[mud]

How was Fittlers come back predictable?

Bennet pulled Alan langer's comeback out of the hat.. all of a sudden, langer was playing origin. Langer started the whole thing.

With Fitler, he said that if NSW needed him, he would make himself available... if he didn't say it, it was implied and it was widely discussed. So we all knew that it was a possibility- thats why it was predictable.