- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
If there’s one thing Brad Fittler has not done well, it’s keep his first ever NSW side under raps.
Multiple sources, including the official NRL website, had his squad posted almost a whole 24 hours before he was set to officially do so himself at The Star on Monday evening, with the rumoured players spotted wandering around Coogee in Blues gear.
The most surprising thing about the side was the number of debutants, with 11 players entering the Origin arena for the first time. These included some picks that have been popular with fans and critics alike, such as the exciting young Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, in-form Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, and self-proclaimed “Origin ready” Dragons lock Jack de Belin.
However, the first match of the series just isn’t the time for most of these debutants to take the stage.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby-league” name=”League”]
Queensland have successfully run a stick-and-pick program for the last decade, building a squad and getting guaranteed performances even out of players down in form, while still slowly bringing new blood into the squad, usually one or two players at a time.
Despite cutting seasoned veterans Matt Scott and Darius Boyd, Queensland have only three debutants for this year’s series, two of whom find themselves in the team only due to Matt Gillett’s long-term injury and Cameron Smith’s shock representative retirement.
NSW have made unnecessary changes. Two of the state’s leading performers over the past two series, Josh Jackson and Wade Graham, are without a spot, only to accommodate a bench place for Angus Crichton. And, despite off-field antics, Blues veteran Blake Ferguson has been one of the form wingers of the competition, but has been passed over for the relatively unproven Josh Addo-Carr.
I understand that this is Freddy’s first go in the coach’s position and he wants to establish a new start, but even Kevin Walters, in his first year for Queensland, didn’t do as much chopping and changing, despite the ageing team and talent waiting in the wings. Because he had current players who were well and truly proven.
For Fittler to say no to some of his state’s proven champions, instead adding debutants to an already relatively inexperienced team is a head-scratcher, especially in a series where we can capitalise on a Queensland spine reshuffle, with time to blood these youngsters in Game 3.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.