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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 3000010, member: 1899"] He said that after Game II 2018. [URL]https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/state-of-origin-nsw-blues-win-queensland-maroons-kalyn-ponga-kevin-walters/c8z683h8tq9h1xtmedxgt31nu[/URL] Furthermore he clarified that statement during the Game III team announcement. [URL]https://outline.com/GrFF79[/URL] And if you listen to the presser, Walters explains that he went with Cherry-Evans over Taylor because of Ash's defence and tendency to float in and out of games. “We just think Valentine’s a genuine speedster, a genuine flyer and an exciting young player that deserves an opportunity at the next level,” Walters said. “Corey has been a winger that’s been manufactured over time ... he’s had four really good games for Queensland but we felt the time was right for Valentine Holmes. “He’s the current Australian winger. Leaving him on the sidelines was probably not the right option for us for Game Two. “He’s doing everything. I don’t think he can do any more than what he has. “He deserves an opportunity to show what he can do at this level.” [URL]https://outline.com/eJ3TdV[/URL] I don't think he said that, or meant it in the context you think it does. For what it's worth I pulled up a few teams the media was calling for: Wally wanted Mat Scott selected, didn't get his wish. [URL]https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/wally-lewis-believes-kalyn-ponga-must-be-picked-fo/3438599/[/URL] This media pundit (unsure who it is) wanted Mat Scott and Joe Ofahengaue. He also didn't want Jarrod Wallace or Gavin Cooper in the team, he didn't get his wish. [URL]https://outline.com/pGs9zq[/URL] Tallis and JT wanted Kev to stick with Ben Hunt for Game 3 [URL]https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/origin/queensland-set-to-ring-in-the-changes-for-origin-iii/news-story/dba897adc1fd430ec7653b36fbc12dd5[/URL] Hodges and Mal wanted Ofahengaue and Mat Scott in the team for Game I, didn't get their wish. [URL]https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/teams/queensland/origin-2018-mal-meninga-and-justin-hodges-name-their-queensland-maroons-team-for-game-one/news-story/f2899c58eefbb602f5b0c1d6a4dc4310[/URL] Hodges also called for Ash Taylor and Joe Ofahengaue for Game III, didn't get his wish [URL]https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/teams/queensland/justin-hodges-says-ben-hunts-failure-to-stand-up-in-big-moments-means-he-must-be-replaced-by-young-gun-ash-taylor/news-story/19b93f1e79ef16a0ce21c97236136a4f[/URL] Sure the media isn't a person and there's a variety of opinions, but those were the opinions offered to the ether and none of them were realised. Considering how few options Queensland has, you'd have to imagine at least one of these media teams would be correct. Finally, this is what Kevie had to say about the decisions he made in 2017 [URL]https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin-2017-corey-oates-sam-thaiday-cut-amid-drastic-maroons-revamp-for-game-two-20170612-gwp3va.html[/URL] Not to mention, there had been speculation over Sam's future in the Maroons after Bennett demoted him to the bench for 2016. [URL]https://www.outline.com/yUyG77[/URL] So now we know what Kev actually said, and his reasons for dumping players. We can also see that the media has yet to pick one 17 that's actually correct. We also saw the loyalty Walters offered to a Broncos player. These are the facts and you may not agree with his selections, but that doesn't mean he bows down to the media and lets them pick the team. Far from it, in fact it sounds like you'd be happier if he did. [/QUOTE]

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