Andrew Voss gives his views on Queensland Origin selection, the Maroons' Origin support, the Wests Tigers halves and the biggest disappointments so far in 2016.
Who has been the biggest disappointment of 2016?
It's a tie for mine between the Roosters and the Warriors.
I know Trent Robinson's squad had some big-name exits in the off-season and I know there have been injuries and off-field dramas, but two wins from 11 is enough to have them on the "disappointment dais".
The Warriors on the other hand are without excuse. In defence, they are conceding on average over 27 points a game. Their season highlight came in Round 7 where they held on for a tough 24-20 win over the Bulldogs.
Outside of that, their best football so far in 2016 can be spoken about in minutes rather than games or even halves.
Mathematically, both can still make the finals. On present calculations and with Parramatta set to lose their current tally, even 26 competition points might be good enough for the playoffs. But that's a fair way off for the Roosters and Warriors.
How big is Friday night for the Tigers?
Huge.
As a matter of fact, I'm going to heap all the pressure on their two halves, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks.
At some point, we will have to stop talking about them as rookies. Brooks is now 55 games into his NRL career and Moses 44. On Friday night they get to test themselves against the star pairing of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt in an otherwise understrength Broncos side.
I hope they pass with flying colours. Suncorp Stadium is a big stage and the time has come for Moses and Brooks to take the centre of it.
How do you rank the goalkickers?
We've seen the importance of quality kickers in form rammed home in just the last few weeks.
South Sydney's Adam Reynolds was cool under pressure in the Rabbitohs' win against the Eels in Round 10. Johnathan Thurston continues to provide a masterclass virtually every week, and impressively hasn't missed a kick from the left hand side of the field in 2016.
And that should be one of the highlights in the State of Origin series if the games are tight with Reynolds in a "shoot out" with Thurston.
I'll take those two with James Maloney as the best three kickers in the league.
However one kicker who does appear to be struggling is Cameron Smith, although it hasn't really cost his team yet.
After 11 rounds last year Smith had landed 32 goals from 37 attempts at 86 per cent.
This year after Round 11, Smith is down to 65 per cent, with 33 goals from 51.
On the face of it, the alternative goalkicking options are slim at the Storm looking through their 25-man roster. Smith has landed 856 career goals. Tohu Harris is next with five!
Should Nate Myles have been picked for State of Origin I?
It was typical loyalty from the Queensland selectors, but I'm going to back them up on this one.
His unflattering stats for Manly this year have given his critics a bit to work with. Until last weekend Myles had been averaging 50 minutes a match. Against the Sharks on Saturday that game time was cut to little more than 20 minutes off the bench.
However, in his 29 State of Origin appearances, Myles hasn't just been good for the Maroons, he's been great.
I'm not going to make outlandish statements and predict he'll be best on ground at ANZ Stadium, but I'm confident he'll lift to Origin standard again, and do his job for Queensland.
Has South Sydney found another fullback?
There were some really good attacking signs from Cody Walker in the Rabbitohs Round 11 NRL Telstra Premiership win over the Dragons.
Walker just strikes me as a player who hasn't been over-coached, rather his style is by the approach of "play what's in front of you".
If he can settle at fullback and allow Greg Inglis to call the shots when he sees fit from five-eighth, with Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary still part of the squad, I can see Souths improving rapidly from their 5-6 record so far this season.
How do you gauge Queensland's support for Origin?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the series opener is at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, right?
Well, if you ever wanted an example of how great the Queensland fans' support is, look no further than the event they have planned for next Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
In excess of 5,000 supporters are booked to go along to the ground for their 'Claytons' State of Origin experience.
I've been given the task of hosting the event and will report back on what atmosphere is generated, 920 kilometres away.
Even when the old Lang Park isn't the ground for a Queensland v NSW tussle, it remains the home of State of Origin.
There could be some tricky games this weekend in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership; good luck with your tips.
I wouldn't even be surprised if Newcastle produced a big performance in the game I'll be calling for Fox Sports on Monday night against the Eels.
Giddy Up!
Twitter: @AndrewVossy
