I thought we’d be all be assessing Laurie Daley’s coaching ability at the end of the three game Origin series but events of the past two weeks mean we’ll be able to make a pretty fair judgement after Game 2.
Daley did a magnificent job preparing his Blues for their first-up win but ever since that night, the news on all fronts has been bad, horribly bad, for the debutant coach.
There have been major injuries to key personnel that have (and still might) have a bearing on who runs onto Suncorp on June 26.
And then there was the James Tamou DUI incident, closely followed by Blake Ferguson and his nightclub antics that have led to an official police charge.
Daley must be wondering if the football gods are conspiring against him in a season when NSW has a serious chance of ending Queensland’s Origin reign.
It’s safe to say Lozza is disappointed and probably extremely frustrated with all of the player drama but the man is a realist. He knows he has to take the rough with the smooth and I reckon he’ll make the necessary adjustments in his team’s preparation for Origin 2.
He will settle on his line-up and make it clear to every player that he has great faith in their skills and ability to bring down the Maroons.
With so much distraction in the NSW build-up, I suspect Daley will encourage the Blues to prepare as underdogs and develop a Queensland-like siege mentality. After all, it has worked for them plenty of times, and it can work for us.
This is going to be a huge test of character for every member of the Blues’ squad. Each player will have to buy into the coach’s philosophy and follow his game plan to the letter.
Tactically, the coach and the players will be severely tested up in the cauldron and if the Blues perform well in a game of such magnitude, I believe we will know that L. Daley is made of the right stuff and could be at the helm of NSW for a very long time.
Losing Hayne due to a hamstring tear was a big blow but his replacement, Josh Dugan, brings similar qualities to the team and will make his presence felt.
He has played at Origin level before and is a player with the confidence and ability to be much more than just a replacement for the first-choice fullback.
Blake Ferguson, well, what can one say? He had the world at his feet after an exciting debut in the Sydney game and now he has been suspended indefinitely by the NRL and has a serious court matter to deal with on top of that.
Even though I thought Aiden Tolman had done more than enough to win NSW selection, I applaud the selection of Tigers’ up-and-comer Aaron Woods. He has been fantastic in a well-beaten team all season and deserves a shot in elite company.
Having said that, I hope the selectors keep Tolman in mind as a future Origin player.
I believe his form this season clearly stamps him as one of the premier front-rowers in the NRL.
Sandy boy
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Sandy boy
Guest
Agree swannie -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
sledgeross
Guest
Any news on the allegations against Ben Teo?
BUDGIE
Guest
Maybe you should read other submissions rather than just your own...have put a number of comments.....nobody is rewarding bad behaviour..the game has 100 years of blokes belting each other FACE to FACE...what is wrong is knees in the back,cheap high shots etc...Gallen indicated both physically and verbally that it was on to Myles..thats footy not an origami festival...as for Daley,I think he may have an idea of what he is doing...the JD (job description) didnt include document control or tuna fishing as a pre requiste....and coup is a "overthrow of existing authority by means military,judicial or covert to take control of an power wieling infrastructure..." has no bearing or significance on the habitat of budgies...that is a coo short for coop..! keep up the good work...D.D.
oikee
Guest
Another one of Daley's and Gallens groupies. So you have been sitting back for days without comment while i have sunk the boot into the blues. Get prepared for more after we equal the series game 2. Bozo. hehe I will say it again, you dont reward bad behaviour, Daley has not got a clue what he is doing, while Rome burns and Budgies fly the coup.
Chris
Guest
Tolman was great last year, one of the best forwards last year. He won't be out of place in origin, great go forward unit and plays big minutes. But Woods has been just as good, so both would have been a great selection
Chris
Guest
Manly don't tell them to stick the blues jumper at all. Steward Steward Watmough Cherry-Evans all want to play origin. The rest of the team just aren't good enough to play origin. Your just another one eyed manly fan who can't get over the fact that your team is shit and chokes under pressure
BUDGIE
Guest
What sort of ill informed clown are you,I have seen your tripe and baseless vitriol day after day and keep thinking that "must be put in by editors to create controversy"....funny enough ,QLD joined the Sydney competition as backyard football in Brisbane was all anybot could aspire to,and by the way for your info NSW won the last encounter.
db swannie
Guest
Daleys cred from game 1,i don't think so,.more like Mals stuff up allowing an injured unwell JT to play. it was 13 V 12 on field ,& anyone who thinks having the best half in the game as a passenger did not affect the result is clueless. Daley will not have that luxury In game 2,& I think jt's performance on FRI night will be giving Daley a few sleepless nights.
Boatman of River Styx
Guest
I've got doubts about Daley's coaching "cred". Players drinking from beer bottles immediately after the game, and again when the players in blazers alighted from the team bus, surely isn't the look that a modern game should have. And then Daley describing the Gallen thuggery as a "great Origin moment" was ridiculous. That we've got two young players out of his team on serious charges, both relating to alcohol, is not all that surprising. Some "cred"!
Chui
Guest
Another Steve Turner article, another plug for a Bulldogs player.
oikee
Guest
If i was Merrit i would tell Daley to stick it.
oikee
Guest
Coaching cred, ha. I have heard they are preparing the booze bus for the blues on arrival at Suncorp. If they can scrape together a team, (whoever is left, not suspended or banned) they will be tested before the game. And no booze in the room, parents and kids dont want to see that, time to grow up boys, cavemen, neadrathals, or whatever they are calling nswrl these days,. Seems like everyone gets a free kick as Rome is burning to the ground. Daley has no clue, it is like getting 2 alcholics back together and sending them to fourex for punishment. No idea. If i was Nathan Merrit, i would do what the Manly players do, and tell him to keep stick his blue jumper. What a let-down.
eagleJack
Guest
Whilst I have reservations with his defence and safety under the high ball, I believe Daley should bring in Merritt to replace Ferguson. The Blues need some positive news and it would be a feel good story. He certainly deserves a shot after pressing his claims for years. And you know he will give 100%. If anything it has been good that the Ferguson issue was dealt with so quickly. He is no longer in camp so there won't be constant questioning and innuendo affecting their preparation. They can move on and prepare as though nothing happened.