S3, A1: Queensland vs. Victoria (vBookie)

Queensland

1. Rusty Downpipes
2. Ryan Gayler
3. Will Robinson
4. Choco Man
5. Charlie Downes
6. Ben Manera
7. League Lover
8. Brentt Gemmell (c)
9. Luke Pilgrim
10. Ged King
11. Chris Devonshire
12. Paddy Orr
13. Steve Cambridge
14. Adam Vago
15. Kyle Wright

16. Ivan Ryabovol
17. Jeff Rocker
18. Mark Phifteenplus
19. Ronnie Hauritz
20. Mate Perry
21. Brian Quilty
22.

Place Kicker: Ged King

Victoria

1. DA Eggman
2. S Masters
3. BA Storer
4. NG Scott
5. SSD Dong
6. PF Oz
7. BR Hall
8. TA Miokovic

9. N Hunt
10. DA Alessi

11. DM Diggler
12. PW Adams
13. RA Boy
14. BH Borisc
15. AJ Son

Place Kicking Duties: DA Alessi

16. NG Miokovic
17. A Bannerman

 

QLD would be much shorter here, but Alessi >>>> King in the pivotal position.

 

Carn the Vics!!

 

So hard to set the odds for first try scorer. Plenty of guns out there, but so much filler in the back lines who could just get on the end of a good move. Could be taken to the cleaners here.

 

Not often, granted. Just the Vikings/Sharks match so far, really. Also, Spartans vs. Canes was a small shock on the actual odds. Spartans were outsiders due to injuries at the time.

 

Carn the Vics!

 

It's been raining all day here in tropical North Queensland. It's going to make for tricky conditions for the backs here, and that should play into Victoria's hands. Well, marginally anyway.

Pre Match Analysis

Well, personally I think the Queenslanders have the Victorians well covered here. The VICs have a well balanced side, and that's pretty much the only thing going for them.

I like the look of rookie hooker Ryan Gayler for the Queenslanders, and he should have a good contest against stand-in hooker Shane Masters for the VICs. Queensland have a proliferation of good backrow players, which sees Charlie Downes relegated to Locking duties.

Brett Gemmell should have a good contest against playmaking #8 Theo Miokovic, but look for Ben Manera to tear his opposite number apart at every opportunity.

In the backline, I see nothing but Queensland domination. Steve Cambridge and Paddy Orr make a formidable midfield pairing and rookies Rabbit Boy and Paul Adams stand little chance if the Queenslanders get the ball.

One clear advantage the VICs have is with up-and-coming first-five, Dion Alessi. He's been one of the finds of the season, whilst opposite number Ged King has struggled for form and gametime. A lot of the Victorian attacking endeavour will have to come from Alistair Son, but how much ball is he likely to see?

My pick: Queensland 13+