One of the hallmarks of State of Origin in its 25-year history has been
the loyalty of the Queensland selectors to Origin players, a loyalty the Blues
selectors have increasingly replicated in recent years. That loyalty seems to have gone out the window this year with the
Maroons selectors leading the way.

For Origin Three, Blues selectors have made changes dictated by
injury
factors alone, though they did unceremoniously dump Brett Kimmorley
after Origin One.

For my mind, the dumping of Billy Slater from the Maroons line-up is
disappointing – even though one can understand the reasons for it. I think Slater has been hard done by. He had a blinder for
Melbourne Storm (admittedly against the Rabbitohs) at the weekend, and has been
in great form all season.

He was the Maroons Origin hero last year – and is one of the game’s pin
up boys. And he has taken his “dumping” with good grace and dignity. It’s a
pity Brett Kimmorley didn’t do the same, but perhaps he was provoked more.

The full story is on the site here.