http://www.cricsim.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=451 I was going to post this poll because I thought you were on the wrong side of it Ah, vindication. There's nothing like it. Maybe cocaine. Shillington's defence was one of the primary reasons for preferring Scott. As you say, it isn't much chop. It really needs work. Mind you, I actually don't think Hannant's is overly brilliant either. It's better than Shillington's but the difference isn't enormous. I prefer Shillington because I think he has a much better running game and he's more mobile. In fact, in my opinion he has one of the strongest charges in the game when he actually wants to. Unfortunately he's been in rather ordinary form for quite a while both for Canberra, and as we saw in Game I, for QLD. However, I do think he's turned a corner mentally. Considering how he had been playing, to come out a week after being dropped and run for 186m in a side that got beaten by 30 is incredible. I think that's an illustration of a determined man who wants his jersey back. His comments also indicated as much. I think if given a reprieve he would produce his best.
The poll was taken when they were relatively evenly matched. Shillington was at the prime age for a prop and playing his best footy. Scott was before his prime (he was only 24) but showing signs nobody could miss. The ensuing three years has completely confirmed Scott as not just the better player but a top 3 prop worldwide. Well, it has in my mind.
Gallen will be named apparently. Despite saying there's no way he will play withouttesting it first, he also said there's no chance he would rule himself out of the Decider before the team is named. Since that's the case, and since Daley has said he'll give him all the time he needs, Gallen will obviously be named. Whether he plays or not is another matter because he will still be wearing the moon boot for another week. It's not a good situation for Daley or NSW because we've seen what taking non-fit players into games can do. And he can't get it needled apparently.
I've changed the OP given that he will almost certainly be named. I'll be surprised if he plays though given what Flanagan has said.
I don't think he's been in the top 5 players so far in this series. Scott, Myles, Parker, Lewis, Gallen have all been better and I'd probably throw a few others in too.
