my thoughts...
Was one of the poorest grand finals ive seen, both teams lacked the urge to go out and take the game by the scruff of the neck, there were very few big hits and neither side looked too interested in making something happen in attack or defence...
Cowboys started quite well and i thought they were getting on top, but tigers deserved to win over the 80 minutes...
Scott Prince won the CCM by default, winning halfback in a team where no one stood out, my pick was Steve Southern, imo he was the outstanding player on the field...
The Australian Tri Nations Squad
TRENT BARRETT (St George Illawarra) - Deserves his spot after a strong season, i cant see him getting too much game time though with Johns available for all games.
DANNY BUDERUS (Newcastle) - Obvious selection, our best hooker and always steps up in rep games.
PETERO CIVONICEVA (Brisbane) - Another no brainer, with Bailey missing hes a certainty, will prolly come off the bench.
MATT COOPER (St George Illawarra) - Despite going missing for the last 2 months of the season is a good choice, will probably be starting centre, but his poor form has him in danger of missing out on the team for the NZ test.
CRAIG FITZGIBBON (Sydney) - Quite lucky to make it, poor season from him and i wouldnt be surprised to see him miss out on the test team, hes a selectors favourite though and will get picked.
MARK GASNIER (St George Illawarra) - Another obvious selection, hes the go to man in the backline, outstanding player and will have a great tri nations.
CRAIG GOWER (Penrith) - Im happy hes been selected over Wing, Gower is quite useful and will almost certainly wear the number 14 in the big matches.
NATHAN HINDMARSH (Parramatta) - Despite his injury hes there and will be in the starting line up, hes a crucial member of the team.
ANDREW JOHNS (Newcastle) - With Warrington out hes an obvious selection, im looking foward to him combining with Locky.
BEN KENNEDY (Manly) - Getting better with age, im glad hes playing cause along with Hindy he was the premier foward in the game this year.
MATT KING (Melbourne) - Will make his test debut in Sydney, most likely on the wing, but maybe the selectors will go with him in the centres over Cooper.
DARREN LOCKYER (Brisbane, capt) - Good to see hes retained the captaincy, will have a good series combining with Johns i think, he needs a rest though and imo should be sitting out the series in favour for Brisbane next year.
WILLIE MASON (Canterbury) - Interesting choice, not much footy but hes a game breaker, will cause havoc for the opposition.
ANTHONY MINICHIELLO (Sydney) - I dont care what others say, hes the best fullback in the game and if he was dropped for hodgson i would have been filthy, hes another game breaker and as always will be hugely dangerous.
LUKE O'DONNELL (North Queensland) - Im excited by this selection, hes been knocking on the door for further rep honours for a few years now, maybe wont play much if at all, but hes a deserving member of this squad.
MARK O'MELEY (Canterbury) - another selectors favourite who doesnt really deserve his spot on form, but if he plays hes sure to get the job done.
STEVE PRICE (New Zealand) - Another good season from him and hes in the squad on merit now. One of the premier front rowers in the game and will be in the pack for sure.
SCOTT PRINCE (Wests) - Not quite sure how he made it, sure he had a good season but theres too many halves in this squad, Gower is still the back up halfback in my eyes and barrett is also there, not sure where Prince is going to get a game.
ANDREW RYAN (Canterbury) - worst selection in the squad, simply doesnt deserve his spot, what a disgrace.
JASON RYLES (St George Illawarra) - No brainer, hes an excellent foward and his offload ability is the best of any foward.
TIMANA TAHU (Parramatta) - Could force his way onto a wing spot, his experience at this level could be crucial, his selection in matches will depend on what the selectors decide to do with cooper.
BRENT TATE (Brisbane) - Good selection, most non brisbane fans would probably be upset by this decision, but hes looked dangerous everytime hes touched the ball in recent times, his defence is also right up there with any back.
TRENT WATERHOUSE (Penrith) - Not sure how hes in the squad, seems to always get picked for Australia, but never for NSW, just another selectors favourite.
