The best 13 to miss Origin selection

Both Origin sides have been named and are tucked firmly away in camp to prepare for next Wednesday's clash. Although there weren't any earth-shattering shocks in either side, there were some incredible players left out. For fun, we've compiled the best 13 from players who missed out. It's a fair side to say the very least. Fullback: Kalyn Ponga Forget the fact Moses Mbye was called into Origin camp as utility cover, Ponga is the next cab off the rank if there is an unexpected injury. Mbye is picked as the Dogs have the bye this weekend and it is not disruptive. Ponga is the heir apparent to Billy Slater and only needs to continue his rapid rise to lock up the Maroon number one jersey for as long as he wants it. An incredible talent with a huge rep future. [caption id="attachment_32898" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Kalyn Ponga of the Knights runs the ball during the round four NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights at WIN Stadium on April 1, 2018 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Wing: Corey Oates One of the unlucky players to miss out on Origin selection. Only the red-hot past rep form of both Holmes and Gagai lead to Oates being overlooked. An absolute monster out wide and one of the best finishers in the game. He has plenty of rep footy in his future. [caption id="attachment_31149" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Corey Oates of the Broncos looks on during the warm-up prior to the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on September 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Centre: Euan Aitken Probably the most harshly done by in terms of missing Blues selection. Three weeks ago Aitken would have walked into the side. A slight loss of form combined with highlight-reel runs and tries by Mitchell and Roberts lead to Aitken being overlooked. He will surely remain in contention should either centre get bathed next Wednesday. [caption id="attachment_32982" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Euan Aitken of the Dragons celebrates victory during the round six NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Cronulla Sharks at WIN Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption] Centre: Darius Boyd On form Boyd probably can't consider himself too unlucky, especially considering those picked in front of him. I severely doubt this is the end of his rep career but I just can't see where he fits into the current side. That said, he's still a wonderful player who can play anywhere in the backline. Has formed the best Origin combination in history with Greg Inglis. [caption id="attachment_32880" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Corey Oates and Darius Boyd of the Maroons celebrate a try during game two of the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 22, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Wing: Nick Cotric If Aitken wasn't the most unlucky man to miss out for the Blues then the Raiders winger is. Cotric is having a magical season and is another I expect to feature in rep footy in the not too distant future. A huge body with incredible pace, Cotric has Origin written all over him. [caption id="attachment_28718" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 13: Nick Cotric of the Raiders makes a break during the round 23 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Five-Eighth: Luke Keary If not for the incredible return to NRL action by Nathan Cleary, Luke Keary would have partnered with James Maloney in the halves for game one. Despite originally declaring he wanted to play for QLD, I have no doubt Keary would have accepted the sky blue jersey if offered. He is next in line for the number six should Maloney go down injured. Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans There are two lines of thinking here, either that DCE is next in line, or that no matter what he does, he's not being considered. I don't know which it is but DCE would not have looked out of place at the MCG next Wednesday night. His form this year has been very good in a severely up and down Manly outfit. Hunt had just shaded him for form, but DCE could come in at the drop of a hat if needed. [caption id="attachment_33558" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Sea Eagles looks dejected at fulltime during the round nine NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Prop: Andrew Fifita There's still no clarity as to whether Fifita is available for Origin or not. The form player of the competition right now, Fifita is monstering all before him. I wasn't sure whether I should include him in the list but his last public comments were that he would play if selected, but would only be available for Origins one and three. [caption id="attachment_31296" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Andrew Fifita of the Sharks takes on the defence during the NRL Elimination Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Hooker: Cameron McInnes McInnes is having a career-best year and is arguably the second most in-form hooker in the competition right now. Unfortunately for him, Damien Cook is the man leading the way. No one can question Cook's inclusion, but I wouldn't have had too many worries had Cam's name being read out. [caption id="attachment_32463" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Cameron McInnes of the Dragons attempts to break away from the defence during the round three NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium on March 25, 2018 in Toowoomba, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Prop: Matt Scott I'm still not exactly sure how Matt Scott was overlooked. If form was the issue, Dylan Napa is hardly bashing the door down. His lack of minutes for the Cowboys is of concern but given his experience, I was almost certain he would be selected. I'm confident that if QLD loses game one he'll be there for game two. He would have fought this week's suspension had he been chosen for the Maroons. [caption id="attachment_33452" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Matthew Scott of the Cowboys looks on during the round four NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium on March 29, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Second Row: Wade Graham For the record, I believe that if Graham had returned three weeks ago he would be in camp right now. He took the Knights apart on his return from injury and is set to stake his claim for Origin two in the coming weeks. An incredibly talented footballer and a member of the World Cup winning squad, Graham is a genuine game breaker. [caption id="attachment_33469" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Wade Graham of the Sharks in action during the round 12 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 27, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Second Row: Tariq Sims Another who missed out by the smallest of margins, Sims is currently in camp as 18th man. He could very well play later this series if an injury or loss of form does eventuate. He's having a career-best year for the Dragons. Has long been considered an Origin player. It's just a matter of time. [caption id="attachment_32897" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Tariq Sims of the Dragons celebrates victory in the round eight NRL match between the St George Illawara Dragons and Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Lock: Josh Jackson The three best, eligible, locks in the competition have been named for next Wednesday's game, so I had to move Jackson to 13 to include him here. He has been among the best for the blues in recent years but has been moved on to introduce generation next. Can probably feel a little hard done by in missing a bench spot but the players chosen simply offer more. Would certainly not let anyone down if called upon. [caption id="attachment_31278" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Josh Jackson of the Bulldogs runs the ball during the round eight NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on April 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption]