- Aug 25, 2011
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State of Origin is back!
What better way to kick off Series XV than the most tantalising of match ups, the Series XIV Grand Final rematch.
spookism's South Aussies, 45 point victors in a one sided play off at home against the Counts last time around, come into Series XV full of confidence and belief they have the list and the game plan to be the first side to go back to back since the West Australians managed the treble in Series III, IV & V. New recruits JackBero, Pea Nut and cadsky look like complementing the reigning champions and a win in round one would be the perfect start to their title defense.
While the Counts, led by HOFer and one of the great promoters of State of Origin, ClarkeM of the Wonders, will be seeking revenge for the hiding they received at the hands of South Australia in the Series XIV decider. The Counts sport a formidable line up on paper, with 5 All-SFA players and their recruits like S28 premiership star Knifey Spoony and vice skipper Sparkle, they will be looking to add another level to their game as they aim to go one better in Series XV.
The S28 Mobbs medallist has had a big 12 months. Having won the Series XIV championship with SA, he was a major player in the S27 Swamprats premiership, winning the Deestroy Medal, and he backed up that performance with an individual season of brilliance, seeing him become another in a long line of Swampies Mobbs medallists in Season 28. He will be looking to translate that form to his State of Origin series, as the South Australians look to go back to back in Series XV.
S28 All-SFA rep porps had a mammoth season on the field in S28, with a big season in the Hawks engine room responsible for seeing them into a finals campaign and herself into an All-SFA berth. She’s another SA player who’ll be looking to carry her S28 form into the Series XV carnival, as her Hawks teammate and SA skipper spookism will know exactly what he can expect from her in the middle.
All eyes will be on the South Australian skipper this series, as he looks to make his side just the second in State of Origin history to go back to back, after a stunning dismantling of round one opponents Vic Country in the Series XIV decider. With the majority of the squad returning for Series XV, and with some impressive firepower at his disposal, can he motivate his side to achieve what only the great WA side of Series III-V has achieved and once again lift the cup in Series XV?
Coming into the series off a 2nd placed finish in the FRED medal in S28 after booting a massive 63 goals, the Furies firebrand was one of few who could hold his head high after the Counts capitulated against the croweaters in the Series XIV final, booting 3 goals and leading his side with a captain’s effort. With 20 SoO games under his belt, the former skipper has the pedigree and the experience to carry forward a Counts side who will be seeking redemption in Series XV.
Series XV skipper and equal games record holder for the Counts with a mammoth 43 games of State of Origin, few have the experience and nous that Clarkey brings to the table come State of Origin time. Having resumed the captaincy this series after supporting The Half Back in Series XIV, there are few Vic Country records that Clarkey doesn’t hold. Leading the side in all time kicks, marks, handballs and tackles, Clarkey is one of, if not arguably the, greatest Count of all time. Can he steer his side to their third series win after a heartbreaking failure in Series XIV?
S28 All-SFA ruckman Test Tickle returns for his second series of State of Origin in Series XV, and he’ll be desperate to convert his white hot SFA form into a State of Origin campaign seeking redemption. Having chalked up 4 games in Series XIV coming off a solid rookie season in the Sweet FA, the Bears big man has stamped himself as an authority in the competition this year, and is expected to lead the Counts ruck brigade this series. The Counts will be hoping Testy’s silver service can be the difference in Series XV.
Last Time
Series XIV Grand Final
Series XIV Grand Final
| South Australia | 7.1 | 14.2 | 20.9 | 22.12 | 144 |
| Vic Country | 4.0 | 7.1 | 11.5 | 15.9 | 99 |
Goals
South Australia: por_please_ya 3; Cadaver, iBeng, Milera2Betts, Smartys Power , crowmyzone 2; Golumless, spookism, Far Kern, WaynesWorld19, WFL, Its Manbearpig , I Dont Care, VSTone, philreich
Victoria Country: haydo, The Half Back 3; Tigerturbulance, Mobbs 2; Fizzler, Doctor Gero, SarahSmiles, manangatang, GotTheGoodes
Best
South Australia: roo2macca, Cadaver, philreich, iBeng, WaynesWorld19, BoshtrichBurger, crowmyzone
Victoria Country: Doctor Gero, Tigerturbulance, TJASTA, manangatang, GotTheGoodes, croweater 41
Prediction
Vic Country to exact revenge by 12 points
Captains, please have your teamsheets submitted in the teamsheet thread by midnight AWST on day 1 of each match thread.
Vic Country to exact revenge by 12 points
Captains, please have your teamsheets submitted in the teamsheet thread by midnight AWST on day 1 of each match thread.
