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Message: [QUOTE="Kraven27, post: 2301253, member: 2080"] Here is something from the Foxsports preview: A clear advantage in key positions Fullback - Slater v Gidley In their last four State of Origin matches playing fullback, Billy Slater has scored three tries and created three linebreak assists, while Kurt Gidley has failed to score a try and only contributed one linebreak assist. Gidley certainly brings some intangible qualities to the Blues, but perhaps others would provide more attacking spark. Lockyer v Lyon Jamie Lyon has played six matches for Manly at five-eighth in 2009 and 2010 (winning two and losing four). He made one linebreak assist and two try assists as playmaker in those matches. Darren Lockyer, and Brisbane Broncos for that matter, are enjoying a mid-season swoon and he has created 10 linebreak assists and eight try assists in their last six games. Thurston v Kimmorley The match-up is simple; with the exception of his kicking game, Kimmorley fails to match Thurston’s attack in every key statistic. Ballin v Ennis The big question is whether Manly's Matt Ballin can handle the pressure. The difference between the two is that Ballin offers more graft and, statistically, runs the ball twice as much, while Michael Ennis does bring an astute kicking game to the table. I like how Lockyer has been killing it in his past 6 games, while Kimmorley is basically a traveller!! Look at these stats: Doubts over Brett Kimmorley The 34-year-old made his first Origin appearance in 2000 and is certainly enjoying a form resurgence in the twilight of his career. But his effectiveness has always been called into question in the big games, and statistics back that up. Kimmorley has won five of the nine Origin matches he has played in, but two of those have been in dead rubbers while the other three saw Andrew Johns heavily involved off the bench. Billed as the team's playmaker, Kimmorley, in his last four Origins, has not made a single linebreak, linebreak assist or try assist. Taking it a step further, his last two preliminary finals in the NRL were also difficult. In 2008, Cronulla didn't score a point against Melbourne with Kimmorley making little impact, while in 2009, Kimmorley failed to spark Canterbury-Bankstown who went on to lose the match to Parramatta 22-12. He missed eight tackles in that match and also failed to create a try or linebreak assist. [/QUOTE]

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