How will Billy Slater use both Walsh AND Ponga? | The Matty Johns Podcast | Fox League

Whilst NSW come to terms with replacing Latrell Mitchell again, Billy Slater has made a surprise decision to select Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga for State of Origin Game 3. Matty johns and Cooper Cronk theorise how Slater will use the two gun fullbacks and mull over what the selection means to the players.
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[@1362pc]

Cooper is a great analyst

[@John-kv7jo]

He should take up coaching.

[@Dugar-III]

Until he starts covering for billy over fifita issue

[@wayneberiman297]

I go for QLD but if Haas does what he did in game 2 NSW will win. They always applaud the backs, Payne haas had the 2nd most running meters behind Dylan Edwards, and Haas played like 50-60min. Every run he had 2-3 players hanging of him, most unloads in the game. With out his runs , NSW don’t get QLD on the back foot. But he still didn’t get man of the match. What does Haas have to do for NSW to get the accolades for his efforts.

[@johnskiezzz9082]

💯 if Haas and Murray start how they started game 2 it’s over NSW just need to play through the middle

[@SlaintheMhath]

@@johnskiezzz9082 Don't forget Angus and Liam from Temora in the back row.

[@johnskiezzz9082]

@@SlaintheMhath yeah they’re good but i felt their best work was done when they were in the opposition half

[@cozzazee4043]

Mate, your a true footy fan. You see things others don't get. And you being a QLDer I respect ya mate. Cheers.

[@shauno7582]

@@SlaintheMhathbeat me too it 😅. That forward pack was on point 🦾🦾

[@alansivkoff282]

Cooper Cronk, great analyst and strategist of the game. Very insightful and always brings something to the table.

[@DruovanniDefoe]

Gagai respects Origin, he embodies the Queensland spirit and always rises to the occasion...

[@ethan4915]

Washed bro looked like a grandpa on the field

[@DruovanniDefoe]

@ethan4915 if you're rating the players on the QLD side tonite, Gagai was one of the best out there... NSW won the forward battle and ultimately got over the advantage line better than QLD... ...I also think that's Gagai's last game in a Maroons jersey...

[@tuahufauhiva3818]

Needs to retire

[@venom1889]

Gagai is what it means to be an Origin player! 💪🏾 his experience is irreplaceable!

[@GrandMaster675]

Coops is such a revelation to the game 😮

[@Lalomilo685]

Wished Cooper was in QLD coaching staff lol

[@oceansep4103]

Needa give NSW a chance mate 😂

[@airplane3359]

Wish he was coaching NSW

[@geoffreymori5959]

Cooper seems to forget that Madge is at the helm of NSW, not Fitler. He embarrassed big Mal last year. He's doing that to Billy this year

[@StarzPopzD]

Come next Thursday I'm coming back to laugh at your comment

[@clutch7548]

Sounds like you’re jumping the gun a bit… NSW won a game. You’re HOPING Slater is flustered, but all that matters is winning game 3

[@hyphen7841]

Please don’t hype yourself up lad 🤣

[@Br0wnCh3]

Wins one game, give them the trophy boys 😂

[@weikaisindakoya8386]

Keep writing them QLD off.We have seen it before.

[@Gamminn]

These episodes are some of my fav content Matty is the best analist while being the best entertainer what bloke

[@shanerorko8076]

There's one issue with having 3 fullbacks. The forwards need to make the room for them, if they don’t NSW will just play down the middle and not give the fullbacks a chance. Plus you will also have all three running into the massive NSW forwards to take pressure off. Everyone seems to forget the forward pack creates the room for the backs to move, if they're being pushed back all the time the backs can't do much.

[@MA-ri5he]

😂 Then the forwards will eventually get tired and watch Walsh and Ponga open it up

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

​@@MA-ri5he walsh and ponga won't get even get a chance to open things up if they spend the whole game in their own half

[@shanerorko8076]

@MA-ri5he that's why we have these things called interchanges in NRL. It's so you bring the tired forwards off and replace them with fresh fit ones. Unfortunately for you Billy has wasted two of those spots with guys that are not forwards in build. We NSW have all but one second rowers in our fowards excluding the 9. Second rowers are faster longer playing forwards, and our one prop is fast hard 150m prop.

[@MA-ri5he]

@@themanwithnothingtolose QLD forwards will weather the storm the first half with the home ground advantage. Then the backs will come into it as they've done on previous series. Their records speak for themselves.

[@lrw121]

@@MA-ri5he you have no idea how the modern game is played, you clown.

[@john2ndname]

I agree with coops! He is the Genaral of Qld...Walsh and Ponga are on a new level and Qld will run around nsw... QLD series 2024

[@BottleBrassMonkey]

😂😂😂 Really???? 😂😂😂

[@DaShA69684]

Billy should pick some fullbacks for the forward pack too

[@johnsonwithat2322]

😂😂

[@gattingbowledwarne]

That’s the best comment

[@evs87]

you act like nsw have never played with 2 fullbacks as centres

[@DaShA69684]

@@evs87 Lattrel is a pretend fullback, he is the best centre in the game, proved it again the other night, he just likes fullback money

[@xpsylentzer_8039]

@@DaShA69684when he wants to be yes, just needs more consistency, Critta is consistently good so i would put him before Trell

[@cjkupa]

Bradman is a freak and surprisingly quick - its surreal

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Missed his calling as an NFL Linebacker, would’ve made his career NRL earnings in a year

[@cjkupa]

If he has NZ blood the ABs is calling too lol

[@airplane3359]

The ref is the only person who can stop NSW from winning game3

[@sportsopinion.3645]

Latrell Mitchell is like the All Blacks having Jonah Lomu he has that much of a presence and everybody knows without saying who is the alpha, he is a massive loss,

[@troystaunton254]

Based on the broncos panthers game where Walsh was in the line a lot and trying to hit blokes. I’d suggest that if both ponga and Walsh are on at the same time. Ponga will defend at fullback and Walsh in the line. This is also a good thing for Queensland as I believe ponga is far better than Walsh at fullback positioning in defence.

[@Senpaizy]

They are probably about the same honestly, Walsh has had a few shockers lately but it’s unusual. Im pretty sure he was on the line trying to make hits just to shake the cobwebs off

[@troystaunton254]

@@Senpaizyquite possibly. It’s a very real possibility that I’ve come to a conclusion and then sort evidence to support it.

[@Thezebraman888]

One way to distract Ponga is put a mirror in front of him😮

[@auzziguy449]

or a line of coke haha

[@bootdaballcuz]

😂😂😂

[@SUNCORP-STADIUM_85]

Let's Go Mighty QUEENSLANDER ❤🔥💪🏽🎉🏈🏆

[@477sss]

Blues will win 💙

[@SUNCORP-STADIUM_85]

@@477sss Lets see what happens🤝🏻🤔, Freddie and laurie says that Suncorp is the best Stadium in Australia 🤙🤫❤

[@Ladfromthemist]

Unluggy Queenie

[@mitchellmyerson4304]

I goes for NSW and I hope Bradman Best stays Fit for Origin 3

[@tommygunn8355]

I'd pick Ponga ahead of Walsh every time. Walsh makes too many mistakes for mine!🤔

[@matrix35]

Talangi getting injured is the best thing to happen to QLD. Has been poor both games!

[@I_Negan_I]

Stupid comment. His defence is exceptional. Better defender than both Coates and Val. Lomax is an animal and got one on Taulagi but NSW will expose that QLD backline with no Taulagi.

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

​@@I_Negan_I that miss tackle on Crighton was pathetic tho. Literally got his arm slapped off

[@hanskellynogua7110]

Agreee with this comment. He was exceptional in defense but attack was poor. Too slow.

[@jeffgutterson881]

NSW Will not beat or outsmart Billy Slater and QLD It will be over before it starts....... MATES

[@auzziguy449]

You are talking about Madge here, beware. He destroyed Mal with NZ vs AUS

[@redeemedfarmer2670]

I said it before game two….Latrell is a one match wonder, then he becomes a liability……..so not playing in game 3 is a huge plus for nsw…..

[@ajm82]

Billy's going to say, "you blokes just go out there and represent QLD. Don't get hurt. I want you guys to be available for your respective clubs"Thats it. Nothing complicated at all 😂. It's Origin..not a Grand Final

[@clutch7548]

Another lame comment

[@jamesmatheson5115]

First and foremost, Reese wouldnt have been in my first 13, he doesnt respect the ball as he should, Reese is given to much freedom, he's too much a singles champ, until he respects the ball he would be watching the game from home, or from the bench if he was playing.

[@Senpaizy]

Rewatch origin game 1 and 2 last year. A lot of respect for the ball while keeping freedom. Was a scary sight and Blues couldn’t stop it

[@ianp3ck]

That's why you're not the coach

[@Daewonnni]

Latrell is worth 12 - 16 points for NSW. Consider his presence like Matty says on and off the ball. Best is good, but no one fears him.

[@slkdikwly1]

Sorry fifta should have been picked and our forward pack needs more power, I think nsw will beat us. Unless all of our qld players all play out of there skin we could win.

[@SlaintheMhath]

Ash will get you over the line, no problems, I am not even going to bother watching because I know what is coming.

[@tongatherese9707]

They should ask the master coach Bennett who he would pick for game 3 for the Maroons but Gus said earlier who wins in Melbourne wins the series so just have to wait 🤔

[@tuahufauhiva3818]

Kidding yourselves. UP DA BLUES. 💪🏾😎💙💙

[@shauno7582]

Glass houses Coops 😝😜

[@user-xy9ut8gi5f]

Qld is going high risk high reward play.. ponga and grant on the bench.. 2 forward interchange in origin could be devastating if theres an injury. Not to mention the forwards got bullied last game

[@airplane3359]

Latrell is like ingle's and meninga.... just a f#@king unit

[@TuffStallyonie]

Welsh and Ponga two great Māori players with mad talent if they can execute it right they can lead the team to that W, but Up tha BLUES✊🏾 there attack and defence power are too stronge for QL... UpDABLUES💙

[@sal8331]

Easy money 💰 Queensland 🎉

[@tonganpride7633]

I believe in you billy and QLD team youse always make the game great!…QLD all day

[@tongatherese9707]

John's right Billy is stupid 💯 not picking fifita Cooper stop saying excuses to cover billy 🤦‍♂️ Billy watches pongia first game back he's in and Fifita been a beast last few games for Titans he uses he's condition at the start of the season 🤷‍♂️ #badexcuses

[@maisitaki2851]

Fifita should have been picked instead of Kafusi,

[@Eddey_Dancer]

Gagai does let in plenty of tries...

[@mathewbeast2124]

Greatest fullback ever is Jordan Rapana😂😂😂

[@seigtitties]

i can guarantee you that billy slater would not be idolised by those two....

[@lrw121]

So Billy think that if both FB's are on the field at the same time, it will scare NSW? Baaaahahahahahahaha!!!!!

[@jacqueopaolo5707]

Ponga will start.

[@Stepdad19]

WHO CARES? they are done anyway. Bill is scared.

[@StarzPopzD]

Coming back next Thursday to laugh at your comment

[@clutch7548]

Pretty sad you need to cling to ideas of “scared” after losing 2 series in a row

[@MA-ri5he]

😂 Suncorp QLD. The record speaks for itself.

[@SlaintheMhath]

@@MA-ri5he Lang Park mate, suncorp is an insurance company.

[@MA-ri5he]

@@SlaintheMhath Actually it's Suncorp Stadium if you want to get nitty gritty about it.

[@michaelchakumai]

Walsh need more training.

[@user-oo4zo8yy5u]

No Trell, no dub

[@SlaintheMhath]

Billy was a good fullback but "the greatest the game has ever seen" is a big of a stretch.

[@Bruiser223]

no its not wtf name a better fullback?

[@GBood]

PLEASE list your others then? Stats wise, play style wise, game management/understanding there is no better than Billy at fullback mate.

[@Jp-do9ny]

I'm.a blues fans but Slater is by far the FB goat.

[@adacoo1046]

I think GI was better imo, he just had the skills to play in other positions and still absolutely dominate. Something Billy couldn’t do.

[@GBood]

@@adacoo1046 Hmmm I really want to agree but I can’t, i think G.I is a jack of all trades master of centre, and I think billy is just the master at fullback, I do see where you’re coming from though it’s hard not to agree I just think billy has an edge and more game smarts as opposed to brawn.

[@joshc7865]

Another salty blues comment

[@cliffordmakings2816]

Sorry Mr Cooper, but Billy was a above average ball running fullback, not a great!!! Show me a game where he passed the ball and it made the target more than once a game.