I JUST don't get some of the decisions by the Queensland State of Origin rugby league selectors.

Last season they dropped fullback Billy Slater from the first game, lost and brought him back to star in the last two.

This season, there is the chance to put Darius Boyd in as Slater's replacement and then we find out Boyd is not in the top-10 backs in Queensland.

There are the seven in the run-on team, Anthony Milford on the bench, Slater who is out injured and also Kalyn Ponga.

Daly Cherry-Evans is also not in the first 10 in the backs which I highlighted last week.

It isn't that I think Cherry-Evans should be selected instead of Ben Hunt at half, what annoyed me is the Manly half wasn't even in the mix.

Allora connection

ONE could ask if there is a sport without an Allora connection.

Neil Phelan rang me with some information on two Queensland players with a Central Downs connection after I spoke about Origin connections.

Hooker Andrew McCullough is related to Allora area resident Judy Acason and her brother, the late Brian Smith, a former Wattles president and classy player.

That means there are a few McCullough relatives in the Allora area.

Half Ben Hunt's mother-in-law was born in Clifton and now she and her husband live there so Hunt has a connection to the area, especially the Flynn and Logan families.

Back on the job

AFTER some leave from the Daily News, I am back and starting yet another list.

I want to work out how many sports we cover as stories/notes/photos in the Daily News and so far have come up with 12 local sports in Tuesday and yesterday's papers and at least another three today. The total number of clubs is at least 27 in three days and counting.

So drop me an email with a photo or some news or just call me on 4660 1313 as I want a list of 50 sports and 70 clubs.