Okay, Darren Lockyer's out and I really can't see how Qld can win game 1 without him. I know that NSW have also lost a fair bit of talent through injury, but I think that Lockyer's injury is far more crucial. Qld will definitely try their guts out and they do have a lot of talent in the outside backs, but the home ground advantage should make NSW just about good things. Anyway, here are the odds:

TAB Sportsbet
Game 1: NSW 1.50 QLD 2.40
Series: NSW 1.48 QLD 2.45

NSW Tab
Game 1: NSW 1.55 QLD 2.35

Sportodds
Game 1: NSW 1.47 (-6.5) QLD 2.65 (+6.5)

IAS
Game 1: NSW 1.48 QLD 2.65

Sports,
Lockyer is a big loss all right for the Maroons (for his vision, organising and kicking game)...they will need a lot more of that Queenslander spirit...mind you, Queensland seem to just thrive on being the underdog...haven't seen the Maroons forward pack yet, Sports, how do they look?

Forwards look a lot stronger than the cockroachs and overall i think they have a great team [on paper]just hope that its not a mental thing being without lockeyer otherwise it could become a cane[toad]ing.

cheers

QUEENSLAND:
Rhys Wesser
Justin Hodges
Paul Bowman
Brent Tate
Billy Slater
Chris Flannery
Scott Prince
Shane Webcke (C)
Cameron Smith
Steven Price
Michael Crocker
Dane Carlaw
Tonie Carroll.

Interchange:
Ben Ross
Petero Civoniceva
Travis Norton
Matt Bowen


NEW SOUTH WALES:
Ben Hornby
Anthony Minichiello
Matt Gidley
Michael De Vere
Luke Lewis
Shaun Timmins
Craig Gower
Mark O’Meley
Danny Buderus (c)
Ryan O'Hara
Craig Fitzgibbon
Andrew Ryan
Nathan Hindmarsh

Interchange:
Willie Mason
Brent Kite
Trent Waterhouse
Craig Wing
18th man - Kurt Gidley

You'll notice that I've listed Michael De Vere in Gasnier's centre spot. I think that's probably what they'll do, but who knows, they may put Kurt Gidley in there somewhere.

Anyway, the Maroons don't have a good record at Telstra Stadium and I feel they need their strongest possible lineup to win down there. The loss of Lockyer certainly tips the scales NSW way.

I personally think that Qld may have a slight advantage in the forwards and the outside backs, but NSW have a decided advantage in the halves and also seem to have a better bench. I do think the Blues have helped Qld a little bit by not picking Scott Hill though. I don't know what they were thinking there.

I know that Qld will lift, but Chris Flannery certainly isn't Darren Lockyer and I think that'll make all the difference in the end.


[ This Message was edited by: sportznut on 2004-05-21 15:56 ]

Hi there everyone,

Forget about the loss of lockyer, that doesnt mean in a thing in this game. This game will be won by the team that has the most pride in their jumper and Queensland have proven that time and time again and will do so again this year. They will win the first two games by less than 6 points and they will lose the third game by a big margin so that then the Blues can say how unlucky they were in the first two games!!!! hahaha GO YOU MIGHTY QUEENSLANDERS!!!!

Record at Telstra Stadium:

1999 Game 2: New South Wales 12 def. Queensland 8
2000 Game 1: New South Wales 20 def. Queensland 16
2000 Game 3: New South Wales 56 def. Queensland 16
2001 Game 2: New South Wales 26 def. Queensland 8
2002 Game 1: New South Wales 32 def. Queensland 4
2002 Game 3: New South Wales 18 drew with Queensland 18
2003 Game 2: New South Wales 27 def. Queensland 4

Played 7: NSW 6, Qld 0, Drawn 1
Total points scored: NSW 191, Qld 74

[ This Message was edited by: sportznut on 2004-05-21 16:21 ]

See what you mean about their record at Telstra Sports...going to have to play at their best and if they do manage to sneak in there...they will go on to win the series...where's the third being played?

The same venue, Telstra Stadium. This year it's the Blues' turn to host 2 games and with Qld having such a horrid record there, it's going to be awful hard for Qld to take the series.

By the way, only twice has the team that lost the first game gone on to win the series.

They will have to put all efforts into winning this game Sports, otherwise its an uphill battle! Its possible and I agree Maroons forwards look a strong unit! A lot of pressure on Prince and Flannery to control the match and make the right decisions...Hagan was pretty good half himself so hopefully he will come up with a few tricks and strategic plays...

There's a tradition that S.O.O games are close. Well, 9 of the last 11 games have been won by more than 12.5 pts. (7 by the home team) I'm not sure if that's going to continue this year, but it's certainly something to think about.