Has Freddy gone a little bonkers?

It's obvious Walker was dropped because word had reached the selectors about the prosecutors appealing his let off on domestic violence charges. He may be facing a re-trial. The cops will also seek an AVO against Walker next week. Walker has a whole mess of off-field problems and there's no way he could be in the Blues squad. He'd be a liability and a distraction, regardless of whether he deserves another chance at rep footy.

It cuts both ways Adam, which is why Haas's tackle efficiency is so high. Less missed tackles because of fewer attempts. Josh Morris had 2 missed tackles but played 80 mibs while Jack Wighton had 1 missed tackle from 7 attempts!

It’s been a while since centres had “combinations” with one another.

Im sorry but i have to take issue with "I think people forget Cleary was good last year because he had Maloney directing play while allowing himself to do his own thing." Cleary wasnt good last year, just as he wasnt good in game 1. Okay, he defended well in 1 and very well last year but that was it. His kicking game across all 4 was not good at best a pass. But worst of all after 4 games he has no attacking stats. How a halfback can have no attacking stats and be considered to have played 'solid' or 'well' or any other similar description is beyond me. Walker was poor but a debutant at Lang Park having a poor game isnt overly suprising and IMO he should have been given the chance to make up for it in game 2. Having said that I have no issue with Maloney returning to the side. He's a proven winner who wont take a backward step, but his presence wont result in Cleary suddenly becoming a capable attacking player. I do however think it will allow him to continue to "do his own thing" of providing nothing in attack.

He dipped a bit past bonkers comparing Saifiti to Petero. Maybe in those final couple of seasons but young to Panthers stint Civoniceva destroys him.

Adam, I like your assessment of the NSW players. Just an observation on Maloney & Cleary. I personally would've started Maloney in SOO1, but having gone with Walker I believe Fittler was duty-bound to give Walker another chance. Ditto Mitchell & Josh Morris. Fittler has decided to go a different path (again). But back to Maloney. Historically, I've seen so many players performing badly at club level with a struggling team, but as soon as they're promoted to rep football, surrounded by other good players, & with a previous record of achievement at rep level, they just blitz it. That's why I would have picked Maloney for SOO1. I think Fittler now realises he made a massive mistake, but that's one he's not going to own up to. As for Cleary, he's too young to start 'owning' plays. He might get away with it at club level, but his game hasn't matured enough at rep level. I think people forget Cleary was good last year because he had Maloney directing play while allowing himself to do his own thing. Reuniting Maloney & Cleary is a smart move, but it's been cancelled by choosing two centres, as talented as they are, who are unfamiliar in the position as they are with each other. Tom Terrific & Wighton simply won't have enough match time together to get everything right. You can bet Qld will target them both in defence & attack, cutting down their time to think & act. Their lack of combination together could be a severe liability.

It's funny how things are judged in hindsight. Last year Freddy was a genius with all his little quirks and different way of looking at things, his walking to the ground and strolling barefoot on the grass. Even his selections last year were a bit left field but he won so everything he done must have been good right? The whole package contributed to a win, Freddy was the breath of fresh air we needed. This year he lost and all of a sudden he isn't quirky and different he's bonkers.

I would’ve made only the essential changes too..which is exactly what Kevvie did this time last year and ..now , we’re the champions my friend..

"16. Cameron Murray: Not sure what he brings to the side, and NSW are light on for props" Due to the speed of the game and greater demands on a player's endurance, Origin is less about big forwards and more about smaller forwards attacking tired forwards in behind the play the ball and on the edges of the middle third. Cam Murray leads Finucane and all other number 13's in this area in the NRL in 2019 and is the form forward in that position. Jake T. should have replaced Klemmer and moved to the front row (not lock) for this game. As for what Cam Murray brings to the NSW side, just look at his stats for game 1. Looking at NSW’s forwards (not including Cook). Cam Murray – 51 mins, 112 run metres (3rd highest for NSW), 1st for tackle breaks (5) for NSW, 2nd fastest average play the ball speed (3.04s), equal 1st for most offloads for NSW, 1 of only 2 Try Assists for the Blues. Run metres: Klemmer (149), J. Trbojevic (130), Murray (112), Vaughn (101), Frizell (92), Cordner (91), Haas (66), Crichton (55) Tackle Breaks: Murray (5), J. Trbojevic (3), Klemmer (2), Crichton (2), Haas (1) Missed Tackles: Cordner (6), Crichton (5), Frizell (3), J. Trbojevic (2), Klemmer (1), Vaughn (1), Murray (1) Tackle efficiency: Haas (96.9), Klemmer (96.8), Vaughn (93.3), Murray (87.1), J. Trbojevic (87), Crichton (85.7), Cordner (85), Frizell (84) Line break assists: Murray (1), ALL other NSW forwards (0) Offloads: Murray (1), Klemmer (1), Crichton (1), the rest (0) Average play the ball speed: Crichton (2.9s), Murray (3.04s), Cordner (3.34s) Try assists: Murray (1), Tedesco (1), remaining 15 NSW players (0) Murray is way ahead of Crichton and Cordner, statistically speaking, for game 1 and also ahead of Jake T. on most of these stats. Question answered.

Yep Freddy’s type of bonkers is harmless.

As a one eyed maroon, I hope our guys improve on their finishing as those bombed tries could have bitten us on the butt. I guess you'll have to wait until late Sunday night to get an answer, genius or bonkers assessment will depend on the outcome. I think Fittler's plan is to try to go around Qld with their fast guys out wide & hope QLD spreads to leave gaps in the middle for Cook & Tedesco. I'm sure the inside pass from one Turbo to the other will be on. It's not that bad a side.

Bit concerned about Trojbovic. He's had a history of hamstring problems. Little bit different with Cherry Evans and graham . Graham could be short of a run. Sims does bring a bit of aggression but sometimes goes over the top. One thing I noticed with Qld forwards they hunted as a pack and Kaufusi and Gillett work so well together. McGuire, Gillett, Hunt and Wallace all played together at Broncos so know each other's play as well.

Adam, I probably wouldn't have made any changes apart from the injured replacements. But that's because I am pretty gutless / loyal ? I can see Fittler's thinking and can understand what he is trying to do. He couldn't risk another dodgy performance out of Mitchell and Walker or the series is gone before kick off . He needed more metres coming off their line from the back 5. Mitchell, Morris & Cotric didn't provide anything in game 1 , whereas Fergo, Turbo and Wighton should. And whilst they aren't regular centres Turbo & Wighton are strong defenders that are needed on both sides of the park. I think Fittler continues to believe in a more mobile pack (especially with not a lot of form props around) , which didn't pay off in that 2nd half of game 1, but if the back 5 get them off their line, these forwards may improve dramatically in game 2 . The only query now for Perth is that it looks like being a bog, with heavy rain expected all weekend ! Errors a plenty likely, which throws all results up in the air. It could very well favour this NSW team if they can hang onto the ball and Maloney & Cleary kick well ? I expect it will be a low scoring slogfest.

Adam, you have generally bagged half the team. Seems we NSW supporters should not even bother watching on Sunday ? We obviously have no chance.

I still prefer Freddy's style of bonkers to Pete Evan's style of bonkers, but you're right on the money with your comments Don.

So Adam, given this highly critical piece, who would be your NSW squad for this game? I also assume you have issues with the coach so exactly what are they, apart from the selections please?