With State of Origin at fever pitch ahead of Wednesday’s game, goldcoastfc.com.au takes a look at our very own version, with Victoria vs the World team.
There are 21 listed players who hail from Victoria, leaving the team one short on the interchange bench. The remainder of the list heralds from Queensland, NSW, SA, Tasmania, NT and Ireland; providing the World team with solid experience across a number of areas.
There are a few players who would have to play slightly out of position in order to make the sides work, with Jack Martin named at centre half forward for the World team. The West Australian has shown plenty of versatility of late and his marking ability would easily allow him to hold his own.
The most tantalising matchup between the two sides would be the battle of the captains, with Tom Lynch leading the forward line for the Victorians and Steven May holding down a key defensive post for the World team.
Peter Wright and Gold Coast local Rory Thompson would be another key matchup at the same end of the ground.
The World team boast arguably the SUNS’ best back six, with the ability to cover both tall and small forwards. There is plenty of rebound off half back with the likes of May, Jarrod Harbrow and Jesse Joyce all great users of the football.
To combat the opposition’s strong defence, Victoria has a number of dangerous players in their forward line including Touk Miller and Darcy MacPherson.
Like many games, the midfield battle could prove decisive. With Gary Ablett, Michael Barlow and Michael Rischitelli to go head to head with David Swallow, Aaron Hall and Pearce Hanley; it would make for a very even contest.
goldcoastfc.com.au have been debating who would take the chocolates on this one, with arguments for and against each side. So we’re turning it over to you. Who would win a SUNS Vic v World State Of Origin clash?
Victoria
B: M Hallahan, J Leslie, A Saad
HB: J Scrimshaw, T McKenzie, B Fiorini
C: M Shaw, G Ablett, M Rosa
HF: T Miller, T Lynch, J Lyons
F: B Ainsworth, P Wright, D MacPherson
FOLL: T Nicholls, M Barlow, M Rischitelli
INT: D Currie, W Brodie, J Grant
Coaches: Matthew Primus, Ashley Prescott, Nick Malceski
World team
B: K Kolodjashnij (Tas), R Thompson (Qld), J Joyce (Qld)
HB: S Lemmens (SA), S May (NT), J.Harbrow (Qld)
C: A Sexton (Qld), D Swallow (WA), J Bowes (Qld)
HF: B Matera (WA), J Martin (WA), C Ah Chee (WA)
F: J Schoenfeld (WA), S Day (SA), B Scheer (Qld)
FOLL: J Witts (NSW), P Hanley (IRE), A Hall (Tas)
INT: J Lonergan (Tas), M Willis (Tas), K Brooksby (SA),
R Davis (NSW), M Spencer (Qld), C Loersch (WA)
Coaches: Rodney Eade (Tas), Dean Solomon (NSW), Lovell (Tas)
