Official Unofficial NSW State of Origin Team

The last three seasons I have been critical of the New South Wales selectors when it comes time for them to name the State of Origin team by leaking it to The Daily Telegraph 24 hours before the official announcement.

But I recognise that criticism is very easy and very fun. But what if I was the one responsible for the fate of the footy fortunes of an entire state? That would probably be very hard and very fun. So considering my complete lack of accountability, this season I've put my money where my mouth is, and named the Official Unofficial NSW State of Origin Team.

NSW Blues... or NSW Blue Steel, amirite?

Because this is my selection process, I'm going to do something different with the announcement - instead of naming the side from 1 to 17, I'll work backwards from 13 to 1 before getting to the bench. I think this is better recognition that games are won of the platform provided by hard work in the forwards.

De Belin in 2017 - the haircut was
a free choice and not because he
 a lost bet. The bra on the other hand... 

So let's start at lock...

13. Jack De Belin
Ever since he cut his top knot and got a respectable haircut, it's extremely difficult to fault his quality and work ethic for the Dragons.

12. Tariq Sims
Sims has emerged from nowhere to be a popular choice for the NSW second row. I think he could be a X-factor, and not the lame kind that wins a talent show then represents the country at Eurovision. By the way, how about those Eurovision eligibility rules? You can't complain about the rugby league world cup when Australia is getting a start in Europe's national singing contest!

Anyway at least once per game for the Dragons, Sims completely rattles a key opponent with a heavy hit. Ever since rugby league got soft by eliminating major threats to spinal stability and permanent brain damage to ensure long-term player health and safety, it's rare for a player to make such an impact with his physicality.

11. Tyson Frizzell
He was one of the best performed Blues last year, and a short off-season due to World Cup selection for Australia has not hurt his club form for the Dragons. Frizzel runs some really hard lines that makes him an absolute handful for any defence trying to contain him.

10. Paul Vaughan
The Italian Stallion has been one of the most consistent front-rowers in the NRL ever since moving from the Raiders to the Dragons, and Origin selection would be well-deserved recognition.

9. Cameron McInnes
McInnes is another player who has come from nowhere to be in serious consideration, although Damien Cook at Souths has also been excellent this season. However, State of Origin is different from club footy. Cook is obviously too flashy for the grit and grind of State vs State combat. What is needed is the efficient service and tackling of the Dragons dummy half.

8. James Graham
The Englishman is ineligible for Queensland selection, which by process of deduction, makes the Dragons workhorse eligible for New South Wales selection. Graham is also the grubbiest player in the game, and Queensland have shown a successful rep side needs grubs - see Smith, Slater, Hodges, Myles, Thaiday et al.

7. Ben Hunt
Queensland have enough quality halves, and according to Wikipedia, Hunt cites NSW legend Andrew Johns as the player that most influenced his game.

Real talk: this means the Dragons half has stronger ties to New South Welsh than Inglis does to Queensland. So pick him!

Anyone who has listened to Phil Gould's commentary this season knows rules are only a rough guide to be selectively enforced in accordance to how he feels about the game situation anyway. And Gus is currently feeling that NSW needs a more talented number 7. Pick him now!

6. Gareth Widdop
The Englishman is ineligible for Queensland selection, which by process of deduction, makes the Dragons star eligible for New South Wales selection.

Graham (left) and Widdop (centre).
Both are eligible for NSW by process
 of deducation

5. Nene MacDonald
Being from Papua New Guinea never stopped Adrian Lam being picked in State of Origin, and nor should it stop MacDonald.

4. Euan Aitken
Anyone who saw him run over Inglis to score a try for the Dragons vs Souths earlier this season knows that poor defensive reads and an inability to pass the ball are not good reasons to stop Aitken's meteoric rise to NSW selection.

3. Tim Lafai
2. Jason Nightingale
The Dragons right edge has great combinations with all the other players selected.

The new NSW fullback...
Duftman! OH YEAH!

1. Matt Dufty
No doubt the Duftman is going to be a better fullback for the Dragons and NSW than Josh Dugan.

14. Leeson Ah Mau
15. Kurt Mann
16. Jeremy Latimore
17. Blake Lawrie
A strong bench with lots of versatility, from the best performed team this season, the Dragons.

COACH: Paul McGregor
The Blues have tried Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler as coach. It's probably time that NSW are coached by an inspirational Blues player instead, like the man of the match from Game 2 in the 1997 series.