Is it time for Corey Norman to play for the Queensland Origin side?

At the very least, he is on the right track.

The Maroons are concerned with the state of captain Daley Cherry-Evans before the Origin opener on June 5, however other spots in the team are still up for grabs.

A man of Norman's physical presence could fit into the Maroons' back line or be used at dummy half.

He has impressed Queensland coach Kevin Walters, not only with his form but his development off the field also.

By all reports, the 28-year-old has grown at the Dragons and is motivated to take the next step.

Norman has embraced the pressure moments this season for his side, with late field goals against Brisbane and Newcastle.

Team-mates around him have noted how relaxed the Brisbane product has been this season.

Will the enormity of the State of Origin Series faze him?

If he continues his current approach, he will be up to the challenge.

His passing has been superb, with five try assists in the first seven NRL games.

His defensive skills have been more than solid, with an 85.4 per cent tackle efficiency rate.

He has had three clean sheets on the missed tackle this season, statistics which would be welcomed by the Maroons.

In the next month, the Dragons will play Parramatta, New Zealand, Newcastle and Cronulla.

These games are an opportunity for Norman to force his way to an elusive Maroons jersey.

7 COMMENTS

  4. It doesn’t matter what we (the public) thinks. If the QLD coach wants him in his squad, he will be there. How many times in the past have the maroons been laughed at for selecting a player who wasn’t considered to be good enough for origin?
    QLD will still have a formidable team with
    1 Kalyn Ponga
    6 Corey Norman
    7 Michael Morgan
    9 Ben Hunt
    You can write off the maroons at your own peril!

  6. 1. Ponga
    2. Oates
    3. Morgan
    4. Chambers
    5. Gagai
    6. Munster
    7. DCE (will be fit)
    8. Pappalii
    9. McCullogh
    10. McQuire
    11. Gillett
    12. Kaufusi
    13. Arrow

    14. Hunt
    15. Napa
    16. Hess
    17. Glasby

    18. Wallace/Welch/Ofahungue (forward)
    19. Milford (utility)
    20. Fedlt (back)

    If DCE ainโ€™t fit, have Morgan go halfback, Gagai centre and Fedlt on the wing. If Napa is fit, have either of the 3 forwards Iโ€™ve listed at 18th man replace him.

    Norman isnโ€™t needed. He doesnโ€™t offer enough versatility to play off the bench and with Munster the chief ball runner he wonโ€™t be needed.

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