MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Queensland have made major error in not unleashing Reece Walsh for State of Origin

Queensland’s failure to release Reece Walsh on the Blues is the reason I believe New South Wales will wake up on Thursday morning with a 1-0 lead in this year’s State of Origin series.

Omitting Walsh from any footy side is like leaving Steve Smith out of the Australian top order or telling Eddie Van Halen to lay down his guitar and sit out a couple of songs.

I must admit when I first saw the Queensland squad minus Walsh, I thought it was the correct call given his lack of recent game time and last-up shocker for Brisbane against the Warriors.

I called it a brave decision from coach Billy Slater.

But as we near Wednesday night’s kick-off, I have had a big change of tune.

I think it’s borderline insanity to leave a player of Walsh’s quality out of a big match like this, especially with the way the game is being played at the moment.

It’s fast and furious stuff with refs throwing six-agains around like confetti.

There are none better in the game at exploiting a tired and disjointed defence than R Walsh.

The reasons the Maroons are giving for telling Walsh to stay at home don’t quite wash with me.

“Going into a big Origin game with confidence, it plays a huge factor,” selector Darren Lockyer said.

“Reece is coming back from a month off. The Broncos are struggling a bit for form and we just felt that Kalyn is playing in a winning team at the moment. He is a big contributor to that and he is just in almost career-best form.

“We know what Reece is capable of. The key now for Reece is how he responds to the disappointment and focuses on getting back to playing his best footy.”

Yeah, nah.

Don’t get me wrong, Kalyn Ponga is a quality player and will give the Blues plenty of headaches at No.1.

But Walsh is a next level threat. He gives defences migraines.

Why wouldn’t you at least pick him on the bench?

If the Maroons were finding the going tough and struggling to find points, you could have thrown Reece Lightning into the fray to liven things up.

And if things are going well then leave it as it is and Walsh can be one of your two unused benchwarmers.

I reckon Laurie Daley would have given a little fist pump when he saw Walsh’s name missing from the Maroons’ team sheet, while leaving Queenslanders like former player and coach Kevin Walters a little bit nervous.

“This is just me, I would have had Reece Walsh at fullback and Ponga at 14. That would have been a real shot across the bow to NSW,” Kevvie said.

“I reckon the moment NSW saw no Reece Walsh, it was a one per cent win for them.”

Absolutely.

And it’s those little one percenters that can make all the difference in Origin.

Go get ‘em, Blues!

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

When I watch the NRL these days, I find myself thinking which players I would love to have played with and which ones I’d hate to oppose.

And from the very first time I clapped eyes on Jai Arrow, he was in both categories.

Tough and skilled with a bit of maniac about him, he played the game the same way I and the likes of Sam Burgess and James Graham did.

And in doing so, he became an instant favourite of mine.

The news of Jai’s MND diagnosis floored everyone in the game.

I don’t know him personally but it really rocked me in a way I can’t fully describe.

I guess it’s because of his age and the fact he has a young family and is still at the top of his game with so much to look forward to.

For life to deal him this is beyond cruel.

I admire his courage in letting the world know about his battle and his promise to fight this dreadful disease with everything he’s got.

I salute my old club South Sydney for the way they have got around him and handled a very delicate and emotional situation.

And let me also pay tribute to rugby league fans everywhere.

I know we all have our rivalries — especially come Origin time — but I am proud of the way the league community has rallied around Jai and his family.

With so much hate out there on social media, I have seen nothing but love and support from fans of both states and every NRL club.

I can’t speak for Jai but I’m sure he is drawing great strength from that.

Mate, we are right behind you every step of this journey.