Fake news is not just refined to President Trump and the White House; it is alive and well in the Sydney media following the long overdue Blues’ State of Origin Series win.
As a News South Welshman who resides in Sydney, the post-match reporting on Origin was embarrassingly inaccurate, and I found myself turning away from the sports section over breakfast and preferring The Project and Home and Away when NRL 360 came on at 6:30pm.
It was relentless and biased.
We are to believe that we have just witnessed the dawning of a new era, with a new team and coaching staff mentored by Gus Gould.
The records will show the Brad Fittler’s Blues did win games one and two clinching the 2018 series and kudos to all involved as it has been a wonderful spectacle so far.
Not even frostbite on the player’s toes from early morning barefoot walks could stop the Blues from going two-zip.
“We have witnessed a new Blue spirit”.
“Freddy had these guys so tight that they all play for each other”.
“This is the fastest team I have ever seen”.
“Gus was in tears; his speech to the players was inspirational”.
Most of these, and similar comments are correct, but here is what was not reported.
This current NSW Blues team is inferior to the 2017 teams that ran out in games one and two last year.
Not only does Freddy’s ‘Baby Blues’ team deliver lower ratings than Laurie Daley’s team, but they have done so against a significantly inferior Maroons team that does not have legends Johnathan Thurston, Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and, for good measure, Matt Gillett.
Six crucial disciplines that are weighted highly when measuring a team’s performance include tries, run metres, try assists, linebreak assists, linebreaks and tackle breaks.
The Blues 2018 list was inferior to the 2017 teams, including being down a massive 67 tackle breaks.
Even though the Maroons lost Game 2 18-14 this year, the general consensus is that they were the better team, but inaccurate goal kicking killed off any chance of taking the series to a Brisbane decider.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters would have almost certainly been able to win the all-important Game 2 had he had the services of just one of his recently retired greats.
Everyone south of the Tweed is happy for Freddy and the Blues to win the series, but let’s not let the facts get in the way of a homecoming.
The fans deserve better than what has been reported; they want the facts; that’s what they pay for.
The real story is that NSW have not improved, and a full strength Maroons would have beaten them.
The upside for the Blues is that they are very young and the new combinations will only get better; they also will be able to introduce the future world beater, Payne Haas, probably next year who will be a ten-year Origin player.
The Maroons after just retiring Thurston, Cronk and Smith will also farewell Billy Slater in Game 3, but before we start celebrating the start of a new Blues Origin era, Walters’ Maroons re-build may have something to say.
Kalyn Ponga, the game’s most exciting young player, will be the new Maroon fullback next year and try assist genius Ashley Taylor will press his claims as the new dominant half.
To counter the Blues sensation Payne Haas, the Maroons will also have the brilliant schoolboy champion David Fifita at their disposal.
If the facts and figures are put to one side, an unbiased comparison of the Blues in 2017 to 2018 based on video analysis comes down to a non-pass to a winger in the clear, or a video ref decision being overturned.
Now that’s not fake news!
| 2017 G1, G2 | QLD G1 | QLD G2 | TOT QLD | NSW G1 | NSW G2 | TOT NSW | Hi Rated | MARG |
| Tries | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8 | NSW | 4 |
| All Run Metres | 1661 | 1517 | 3178 | 1815 | 1607 | 3422 | NSW | 244 |
| Try Assists | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | NSW | 1 |
| Linebreak Assists | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 8 | NSW | 3 |
| Linebreaks | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 10 | NSW | 2 |
| Tackle Breaks | 49 | 34 | 83 | 57 | 42 | 99 | NSW | 16 |
| 2018 G1, G2 | QLD G1 | QLD G2 | TOT QLD | NSW G1 | NSW G2 | TOT NSW | Hi Rated | MARG |
| Tries | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | NSW | 2 |
| All Run Metres | 1649 | 1632 | 3281 | 1681 | 1409 | 3090 | QLD | 191 |
| Try Assists | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | QLD | 1 |
| Linebreak Assists | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | QLD | 2 |
| Linebreaks | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | QLD | 3 |
| Tackle Breaks | 24 | 28 | 52 | 53 | 32 | 32 | QLD | 20 |
| Games 1 & 2 | NSW 2017 | NSW 2018 | TREND |
| Tries | 8 | 7 | -1 |
| All Run Metres | 3422 | 3090 | -332 |
| Try Assists | 5 | 3 | -2 |
| Linebreak Assists | 8 | 3 | -5 |
| Linebreaks | 10 | 3 | -7 |
| Tackle Breaks | 99 | 32 | -67 |
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Hi Scott. Not sure if anyone else pointed it out, but, your numbers aren't adding across correctly... Specifically, NSW G1 & G2 for 2018. In your final table your Total NSW 2018 figures are wrong. Comparing 2017 total to 2018 total should yield the following: Tries - 8:7 (2017 by 1) All Run Metres - 3422:3090 (2017 by 332) Try Assists - 5:7 (2018 by 2) Linebreak Assists - 8:6 (2017 by 2) LInebreaks - 10:8 (2017 by 2) Tackle Breaks - 99:85 (2017 by 14) This also means when you compare QLD to NSW in 2018, the figures should be: Tries - NSW by 2 (5:7) All Run Metres - QLD by 191 Try Assists - NSW by 3 (4:7) Linebreak Assists - NSW by 1 (5:6) Linebreaks - NSW by 2 (6:8) Tackle Breaks - NSW by 33 (52:85) So, in the end, QLD only won one category in 2018 (All Run Metres) and they failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. I do agree with your sentiment that all the hype in NSW is over the top, but, when you compare NSW to QLD in each year, NSW is/was better in just about every department. This year however, it showed on the scoreboard...but if you look at 2017, it showed on the scoreboard for about 1 game and 78 minutes...
thomas c
Guest
They had to win because losing to a team without cronk/thurston/smith would have been catastrophic. That slater made as much of a difference as he did was indicative of the difference that class makes.
farkurnell
Guest
on analysis QLD won the battle upfront,NSW forwards never dominated like they did in the previous two years . QLD lost the last game because the Blues halves executed better when they got into the red zone. I'm concerned the Blues need to improve in the forwards,as I'm sure the QLD pack will at Suncorp. I think they need to bring in Fafita to match the QLD firepower. I'm hoping Cleary will improve in attack, to get us a win.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Matt I agree with most of that. Taylor is also a goal kicker.
Davico
Guest
Talking about retired players is pointless. You could say the same about any origin team that has lost after a winning period. Fact is they are gone. It is not an excuse. Both teams have to pick the best teams they have available to get the job done. NSW achieved it and Queens land did not. End of story. I know better than to predict a period of dominance for either state going forward but the 11 NSW debutants will only be better for the experience. Having said that so will Ponga!!
Roger
Guest
Add Allan Langer to that "not eased in" list Paul - too small, too young and not up to it apparently.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
Credit for the article Scott. Whether the noise from Mal and Kevie ment much is debatable but morgs to half back game two was on the cards and I don't think he would have turned over 3, 7 tackle sets no matter his form but you play what's in front of you and NSW played well enough to win both games. Why your state selectors did not play Aaron Woods game 2 is beyond me but I'm from Queensland but if he was ours I'm sure we would have picked him even though Matt Scott missed out its different . We'll be back like a nineties super Villan next year ..
Dean
Guest
Also the Try Assists, Linebreaks and Assists are wrong as well. 2018 should be: 7 Try Assists 8 Line Breaks 6 Line Break Assists This is from the official NRL site
Dean
Guest
Your figures are wrong. Tackle Breaks for 2018 are 85, not 32.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah agree with that and in some instances NSW2 may have had more success due to team composition as opposed to individual skill. For mine, that was the biggest issue in the last few years but highlighted last year. Positions found for the best individuals not vice versa. At this level the coaches are man managers, what more can they teach the best of the best? What Mal bought back was passion. The champions were 22yo in 06 and was won with Hannay, Schifcofske, Wesser, Webb, Mogg... all talented players but not considering their opposition.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Brains I would love to be your bookie. You are on drugs if you think this years Qld team was stronger than last years team with Cam Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Morgan and Gillett.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
X The fact that they won X will be great for his confidence. Had NSW lost both games, it could have been a setback in his career as we have seen with several early starters. It was a risk playing him, but he should be ok now. btw, yes his D was excellent, but that is not the prime reason you select half #7.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Paul, Agree mate. He cannot use that he is only 20 as an excuse as once you are picked as an Origin halfback he must be judged accordingly. Daley was the same at a young age in his first crack, but soon went up a gear, lets hope Nath does also, but I dont think his minders did him any favors playing him. I would bet his dad would have waited another 12 months and so would have Loz.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Bunney, Be clear I rate him a million $ player, but I know what Pearce would have received had he returned similar numbers. As fans and subscribers to online news and cable TV all we want is objectivity.
BrainsTrust
Guest
The problem with this article is that QLD were weaker last year because of the old guys. Particularly the selection of Sam Thaiday. if the other old guys had appeared again it would have been a much easier victory for NSW. Then the other big factor was NSw was a man down late in the game and held out. There is no way last years team could have done that.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree with that completely...and with Fittler’s approach to ease him into the side with Maloney taking the lead. It’s exactly what we haven’t don’t with our young halves in the past and we’ve burned them out. There’s plenty of scope for Cleary to improve and he is more than capable. Now that game three is a dead rubber I’d love to see Fittler give Cleary an expanded role in terms of playmaking, kicking and generally running the side. He can definitely step up and it would be ideal for his development as a rep player and for the future of the side.
Paul
Roar Guru
Scott, I waited 160 minutes to see Cleary NOT stamp his authority on either game. I don't agree he should be eased in - the really great NSW halves like Mortimer, Sterling, Johns, etc, weren't eased in, they took he game by the throat and stamped their authority on it. He needs to get stuck into game 3 and take control. That in turn might get his forwards having more of a crack. I think Cleary's true test will be how he performs for the rest of the season. I thought he was flat at Club level after the first SOO but the Panthers can't afford him to be a "catch and pass" half, if they're going to be a force at the business end of the season. Again, the really good halves went up a gear after playing SOO. Cleary has the rest of this year to prove he deserves comparison with the guys I named
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Nat NSW is so big and has such a huge player market advantage to choose from over Qld that they could easily form a Blues2 team and could be just as good as the Blues1. This means that getting the right 17 for NSW is much more difficult than for QLand as they have fewer to choose from. Qland normally choose themselves although I personally would have put together a different Maroon 17 this year. I have always believed that selection is more important than coaching in Origin; I think Mal Meninga proved that.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I agree as a Penrith fan TB that he didn't offer much in attack. However, he was massive in defence and was the hardest working player on the field according to that new technology Channel Nine has. He's just settling in at the moment, we'll have to see if he brings more. If NSW start losing he may have to watch out as then people may see he isn't offering much yet other than his strong defence.
Forty Twenty
Guest
I'm saying Fittler would have done worse than Bellamy but the simple coach blaming and simple coach praising largely ignores the reality. All the facts point to Bellamy being a great coach but Sheens probably had a similar record or better when he had all the champions at the Raiders. Like Bellamy he developed most of them. Bellamy is the only coach in history who has had the most influential player ever, possibly, around and injury free for more than a decade. Bennett, Sheens , Hasler and all the rest came back to the pack when they moved clubs or had an absence of all time greats in their roster. Most assume that Bellamy would be successful where ever he goes but I thought that about Hasler going to the Dogs. If Bellamy never coached SOO , it is a sure thing that many would be declaring that he should have and they wouldn't have lost so many in a row. Surely Scott your research would have shown Sheens to be as good as Bellamy until he went to the Cows but Bellamy hasn't moved to a weak club and why should he?