With the teams for State of Origin for Game 3 announced yesterday there’s, as always, plenty to talk about in both camps.
Following a comprehensive 38-6 Game 2 victory in Perth, Brad Fittler has named an unchanged lineup for the series decider next Wednesday night.
But that raises questions in itself.
Will Nathan Cleary really be fit enough to play after suffering an ankle injury in Perth? Is Clint GuthersonIs David Klemmer really going to stay left out? Is Fittler playing mind games naming Tariq Sims despite likely suspension?
We got Roar NRL expert AJ Mithen on the line to look over the Blues’ lineup for Game 3 and work out whether they got it right.
Listen to the discussion:
After a disappointing 18-14 Game 1 loss in Brisbane, Fittler shocked everyone after making a whopping seven changes to his side for Game 2 – including the omission of superstar Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell.
Thought to have lost the plot, the Blues entered the pivotal match in WA as slight outsiders, but stunned everyone with their second-biggest ever win over the Maroons.
A win in Game 3 will give the Blues consecutive series victories for the first time since 2005.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
What he’s not doing is kicking every set straight down the throat of the FB. That in itself is a step up from Pearce’s umpteenth attempts.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Guess what Steve , how he got done for that is beyond me,
steveng
Roar Rookie
I agree, that was a shocking call and after seeing some high tackles (that are left alone) this tackle was nowhere! If Sims gets suspended its a gee up and they want Qld to win!
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, if you recon Townsend should be in then you must have missed his last minute option in Sunday's game, when a pass would have won the Sharks the game, wouldn't like that in a SOO game, especially and as that option could and probably will come up again! For me Cleary should have never ever been picked as he's just not there as yet, both fit and especially injured, I would go with experience and for me Pearce is 'ripe and ready' to be part of a wining team and he deserves his opportunity to be in the Blues side. Graham is probably right up there also and is another option that Freddy has!
Faulk
Guest
Townsend played terrible last weekend and takes poor options; Graham/Maloney should be the halves, Keary would walk straight in if he was fit. Perhaps Wighton or Matterson to 5/8?
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I think that Freddy's friendship with both Ivan Cleary has clouded his judgement in regards to Nathan. Yes the kids is a good player & so is Mitchell but he dropped Mitchell like a hot potato but is willing to risk a bloke under an injury cloud who did little in game 2 . Townsend is playing better than Cleary by a country mile and has played with Maloney and won a grand final with him....
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I saw the replay of that Sims tackle 3 times last night at normal speed and I do not think it was late. The ball had hardly left his hands when Sims hit him in a beauty.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Cleary is still a passenger in the NSW team. Did nothing of significance last year, same this year. He is kind of a different Pearce except his doing nothing is resulting in wins not losses. Should pick Reynolds.