The top TEN NSW stars who probably won't play Origin in 2020

Every year there is a hard luck story when it comes to missing Origin selection. 2020 looks like a year that will have multiple such hard luck stories. This comes due to the absolutely emergence of incredible Origin-level talent combined with the fact that games will be played at the end of the season. Below are 10 players who are eligible for Origin selection but will probably miss out. Of course a lot can happen between now but looking at the quality of players listed below, I don't hold any fears that the standard of the series will drop off despite being played post finals. Josh Mansour The Penrith winger is in supreme form right now and would be very much in the talk if Origin were being played in its normal time slot. That said, unless Josh Addo Carr or Blake Ferguson suffer an injury or major fall from grace then there simply isn't room for Josh Mansour. If the Blues are looking for a quick fix after falling 1-0 behind then Brett Morris (if he declares himself available) is the obvious choice. There's one other option I'd say is slightly ahead of him also. [caption id="attachment_41118" align="alignnone" width="1367"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Josh Mansour of the Panthers looks on during the NRL trial match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers at Redfern Oval on February 23, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption] Nick Cotric Much like Mansour, Cotric is an in form winger with Origin experience. I have him number four right now behind Addo Carr, Ferguson and Morris. Cotric probably hasn't had the influence in 2020 he would have hoped but he has done everything right. Neck and neck with Mansour as number four right now, I have Cotric shading it due to his aerial ability and the fact he was first choice winger prior to injury recently. [caption id="attachment_28718" align="alignnone" 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] Paul Vaughan Vaughan is one of the competition's best big men. Unfortunately his Dragons side are not flying high right now which does take away slightly (rightly or wrongly) from his performances. He was huge for the Blues last year but right now I can't see anything other than a Klemmer/Saifiti starting pack with young giant Payne Haas returning to the Origin scene. If the Blues go with four props then Vaughan comes in. [caption id="attachment_43050" align="alignnone" width="1024"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Paul Vaughan of the St George Illawarra Dragons runs the ball during the round four NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 07, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Isaah Yeo Yeo's start to 2020 has been incredible. His attacking stats are brilliant and his defensive efficiency is almost flawless. That said he is behind some of the best locks in the competition and probably lacks the flair to fill a wide out role. Not the only player on this list who may come into contention for a bench spot, however right now the incumbents and a raging youngster look more likely. [caption id="attachment_42763" align="alignnone" width="1024"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 24: Isaah Yeo of the Panthers looks on during the round 24 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)[/caption] Nathan Brown The second lock on this list who could very well play Origin if not for the likes of Jake Trbojevic and Victor Radley. Jake T tops the list due to rep experience and the fact he can fill in as a fourth prop, although Brown would not look out of place from the bench. He needs to stop the silly suspensions though if he's any hope of building the momentum needed to unseat his rivals. [caption id="attachment_28943" align="alignnone" width="1365"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Nathan Brown of the Eels offloads the ball during the round eight NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] Ryan Matterson I deleted and re-added this name three or four times before deciding to leave him here. Matterson is in supreme form right now and will play plenty of rep footy in the future, just not this year. NSW having won the series last year will stick with their incumbents as much as possible and I just can't see him coming in over the likes of Graham, Cordner, Crighton or Frizell for a wide running position. Embed from Getty Images Dale Finucane Finucane was an absolute rock for the Blues last year. He's the perfect Origin player and no one could begrudge him a return to the rep arena. That said, the older Turbo is set to start in the 13 with young Victor Radley likely to be there in some capacity. Radley offers far more utility value than Finucane having played 9 across multiple games for the Premiers. That looks the only reason he'll miss out. [caption id="attachment_46438" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Paul Vaughan of the Blues and Dale Finucane of the Blues celebrate after winning game three of the 2019 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on July 10, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] One of Keary/Cleary/Moses This is another I moved in and out numerous times. I'm not brave enough to make a call right now but one of these three players misses out. Right now I'd run with Keary and Moses but Clearly has looked very good since his return to the game and has Origin experience. Keary and Moses do not. It would be super risky blooding two new halves in the Origin arena for Game One. Either way, at least one of these three is going to miss out. Possibly even two. [caption id="attachment_42908" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers looks dejected during the NRL Semi Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on September 14, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Mitchell Pearce Pearce has battled his entire, super successful, career to deliver an Origin series victory. In 2019 he did just that after coming in for the decider. Unfortunately he won't have the chance to deliver back to back titles as he is overlooked for two of the above three. I wouldn't be against Pearce coming in at 7 here. He's having a brilliant season to date and has more Origin experience than all three rivals together, but I believe Fittler is going with a Keary and Cleary/Moses combo moving forward. [caption id="attachment_48399" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Mitchell Pearce of the Knights looks on after another Tigers try during the round 23 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] Latrell Mitchell The most shocking player to miss out is Latrell Mitchell. He's number one, by a mile, as he is the biggest game breaker on this list. He can win you a game at any time in any game. He was quiet for 79 minutes in last year's Grand Final yet made the line break that delivered the title. Unless Tommy Turbo or Jack Wighton are injured I can't see Fittler making a change to his successful centre pairing. Despite looking very much at home in the fullback role over the past fortnight there is no chance Tedesco is not wearing one. If he is injured then Turbo goes to one and Trel comes into the centres, but assuming everyone is fit, the superstar centre misses out. Embed from Getty Images