In the Spotlight - Round 12

As the great Danny DeVito sang to himself in Twins, "tonight is your night bro."

Tonight 33 of the finest players (and one Mitchell Pearce) will do battle in the crucial State of Origin I, striving for a 1-nil lead before both sides go to Melbourne for the second clash. Will the younger Blues grab their third win in the past four SOO games, or will the might of the Maroons prevail away from home? I don't know, because I can't time travel. But make sure you tune in.

As for the Spotlight, let us review Round 11.

Blake "Jax Teller" Austin was a man possessed on Sunday; if you want to see commitment and determination, check out his second half try against the Dogs. It's as if the blue-and-whites had bombed his charter and he was hungry for revenge. Alas, he didn't get it as the visitors won a crazy game of football 41-34, thanks to a blinder from some nutjob wearing six for the Canterburians.

James Tedesco was superb for the Tigers, running for 169 metres, contributing a line break assist and six tackle busts. But like the first 40 years of Steve Carell's sex life, it amounted to zero. All eyes will be on Josh Dugan tonight, because if he can't stay fit or keep his place in the side, NSW could do worse than gives young James a run at some point this series.

Onto Round 12.

Ryan Hoffman

A close second to Jarryd Hayne in the player of the series stakes for the Blues last year, the Hoff knows he has some credits in the poker machine that is rep level footy. While he paid out last year, he isn't as young as he used to be (although I would like to meet the person who is, so they can direct me to that pesky fountain of youth) and NSW are betting big on him again this year. That's enough gambling references, for now.

Dane Gagai

Taking of Hoffo's Warriors this week is promising youngster Dane Gagai. I hope Dane didn't promise to be effective in defence last week, after he escorted Corey Oates to his try-line seat at the Hunter Theatre last Monday night. Queensland would have been strumming their banjos in glee as he bumbled his way through a forgettable evening-they can instead look forward to a mid-match hamstring strain from Justin Hodges.

Sic em, Dane!