It is no secret that good halves win big matches. So to whom will Brad Fittler trust his 2018 Origin campaign?
Talk of late has surrounded the big bodies of Wade Graham, Jake Bird or even Tyrone Peachey.
History says that the Blues have done best with big halves, but when you look at the detail, the likes of Laurie Daley and Fittler had some serious playmaking skills and were week-to-week campaigners in the halves for their clubs.
Some great half partners – the likes of Ricky Stuart and Andrew Johns – also assisted their cause.
Graham, Bird and Peachey can all run and defend strongly, but have only ever been stop-gaps for their clubs in the halves.
So who will Fittler trust? Those at the front of discussion at the start of the year are not exactly setting the competition alight, while the eternal fallback of Mitchell Pearce is not available.
Maybe it is time to look outside the box – and Fittler’s personality indicates he will not be scared to do so.
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Fittler appears keen to pick a team that will not attempt to defend out a victory, but rather score points and place pressure on the Maroons. He also wants players who will work hard for their team, and who other players want to play with. Call it culture or what you want, but it’s important to team success.
James Maloney has locked up one position and his time without Nathan Cleary at his side has shown he has no problem running the show alone. But having an alternate playmaker is critical to building pressure.
This leaves two options.
Of the existing halves playing in the NRL, Blake Green is grabbing games by the neck and controlling the fixture. The only downside is he is the wrong side of 30 and not a long-term option, although he could be a stop-gap measure until Cleary is ready to take the mantle he seems destined for.
The alternative is Clinton Gutherson.
Before you laugh, name a player who shows greater effort and is loved more by his teammates. He is the epitome of effort.
Yes, he is playing fullback for the Eels, but is more than comfortable in the front line and defensively is as strong as any alternative. If the likes of Bird or Peachey were selected as a bench utility, he could also cover every position in the backline should injuries arise.
It may be outside the box, but don’t discount ‘The King’. Fittler certainly hasn’t.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hasn't Johns been part of the coaching group for a while?
CraigT79
Roar Rookie
I had no idea why gutho was even in the Parramatta starting 13 until he put on the number 1 up until that point I would have agreed. Since then he has become a great player in skill and out right passion. Definitely not overrated
Forty Twenty
Guest
Players like Fittler and Johns is whats been missing for over a decade. Meninga was in the same boat when he coached the Raiders because Daley , Stuart and him weren't playing anymore. Bellamy is a better coach than anyone else and he couldn't get them going.
Emcie
Roar Guru
QLD didn't try any experiments in game 1 last year, if anything they were criticised for being too traditional
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Yeah, the other point there is McInnes or Cook will be dummy half. Both have the coordination to put the ball to their foot, but you wouldn't say either have a kicking game that can hit the corners. So QLD may get away with it having Smith at 9, but you can't play Origin and the defence know who the ball is going to on the last tackle of every set. Whoever they pick at 6 needs to have a strong kicking game. For that reason I think you have to pick Green. Field position matters.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The King isn't just retired, he's dead. Ignore what The National Enquirer tell you
Nat
Roar Guru
He was going to say it 3x in a row, remember what that fees like? We can say it 8x straight if that will drive the message home.
kk
Guest
King the colt is an equine version of Terry Lamb. Neigh or nay? Yesterday it was yeh!
The Barry
Roar Guru
The King = Graham Kennedy
The Barry
Roar Guru
#hanleyduckedintoit
The Barry
Roar Guru
Or Jack Sparrow...the man that owned the Black Pearl...
The Barry
Roar Guru
that would make Terry Lamb the "Nakajima B5N" - the bomber that lead the attack on Pearl (Harbour)
The Barry
Roar Guru
and the only man that could stop him is a NSWman...
CraigT79
Roar Rookie
On top of players being in form we need an old school Blues culture in the camp and especially in the leadership group, this has been missing for over a decade. Too long have the Blues tried to win series on talent alone, Mal Meninga found the formula for Origin, talent, passion for the jersey and passion for the state. QLD haven't looked back It was evident for Fittler what passion can do during his World Cup campaign with Lebanon, a team that batted well above their weight for the whole tournament. If NSW is going to win they need to pick the right players for the Jersey not because they are in form which means a new captain and a new strategy. Gutherson is a must somewhere in the team and so is Nathan Brown, Croker from Canberra is a an overlooked Blues talent for years that bleeds for his jersey week in and week out, The two Trbojevics are no brainers give them a blues Jersey and they will find their form. Both of them love the game and play for the game. Fittler needs to find the heart in each team in the competition and if they qualify for NSW pick them.
jimmmy
Guest
There really is only one choice, Blake Green, but it would make my day if Fittler picked Wade Graham.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's NSW because the line is too long for the Qld gig. He played for NSW combined high team because he went to school there (just like a 16yo Inglis went in high school in Qld) but Keary chose to be a part of the Qld junior emerging origin team.
i miss the force
Guest
hes NSW under the rules. moved to sydeny aged 10. a lot earlier than Israel Folou moved to QLd and longer than the 3 weeks inglis lived in Qld
i miss the force
Guest
its his nickname. he has played a lot of 6.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Did you make the comment twice - once for each of your QLD heads? ;P
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Your 6 & 7 need to be a play maker and an organiser. Whatever role Maloney is playing you need someone to play the other role. Forwards playing 5/8 are the Fulton/Daley way of thinking.