Andrew Voss gives his opinion on the Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson fallout from Blues Origin camp, eradicating the shoulder charge, who is stepping up at the Cowboys and who faces 'sudden death' this weekend.
What should happen to Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson?
Based on what we know, absolutely nothing.
It's a storm in a schooner glass!
However, if there was a team policy of no alcohol, then brush them for the next few years. If either or both was injured and had been specifically instructed not to drink, same deal.
However, I haven't heard any evidence of such a code existing.
This was the players' day off; the Friday before a Wednesday night Origin match. A match that brings with it enormous build-up and pressure. They are adults. It's not school camp. I've never been a professional athlete but I would think down time and taking a break before such a big game would also be vitally important to preparation.
There has been reason before to damn the antics of these two but not on this occasion, in my opinion.
Are people suggesting they should have gone horse riding maybe?
Did the Josh Papalii suspension fit the crime last weekend?
I say no.
If we are really trying to eradicate the shoulder charge and make player welfare paramount, then Papalii should have been looking at a month on the sideline for his hit on Josh Dugan.
The Canberra star obviously took the early plea because there was no defence. Why should there be any discount on penalty as a result?
I think Papalii is extremely lucky to only be missing two games. And why the sin bin can't be used during the game at the very least for such a tackle is beyond me. I understand totally the frustration of Dragons fans that saw their team lose Dugan for the remainder of the match.
Who is the key player for the Cowboys now?
Michael Morgan.
And his lift in form during the State of Origin series has been remarkable.
For the first time, the Cowboys have managed three straight wins without Johnathan Thurston.
How many of you ruled out North Queensland as a genuine premiership contender on learning JT was out for the season?
Te Maire Martin's arrival was timely, but it is Morgan who has stepped up, and is now performing like the elite player his record suggests he is.
If what I have seen over the past month from Morgan at both Origin and club level is any indication, the Cowboys will be a serious hope, but…
Their draw demands they will need to play extremely well. After the Warriors clash on Saturday night they face the Roosters, Storm, Panthers and Sharks in consecutive weeks.
Should we rename Super Saturday this week?
Yes, and its new title would be Sudden Death Saturday!
That's the way I see the line up of matches with the 'all or nothing' aspect applying to the Titans, Raiders and Warriors.
Mathematically they could all lose and still be a chance of the finals, but would anyone be confident in predicting they would then embark on an unbeaten six week run?
The Titans face a tough match at Penrith. We should all be excited by the clash of the two halves Ash Taylor and Nathan Cleary.
Golden point may have saved Canberra's season last week, but it doesn't get much tougher than having to back up against Melbourne. In this one, Josh Hodgson v Cameron Smith is a great duel.
And the Warriors will be on their last chance against the Cowboys. I'm putting all the pressure on Kieran Foran. With no Shaun Johnson, Foran just has to be at his best.
How good is Cameron Munster?
Compile your list of top twenty players in the NRL and you'll find it hard to leave this bloke out.
His 'arrival' in State of Origin came as no surprise.
Based on everything he has shown us in two seasons, I don't know how he won't be a part of Mal Meninga's squad for the World Cup later this year.
Is there another Nathan Cleary looming on the footy horizon?
Could be.
It was just a few years ago that I called Nathan Cleary playing for St Dominic's College Penrith in schoolboy footy… now look at him!
You can catch the next wave in the GIO Schoolboy Cup that starts screening again this Sunday at 7.30am on Fox League.
First up it will be Erindale College from Canberra tackling Patrician Brothers Blacktown.
I'm off to Allianz Stadium on Friday night for Roosters v Knights, and then up to Townsville for Super Saturday on Fox League. Can't wait!
Giddy Up!
Twitter: @AndrewVossy
