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Opinion
NSW has lost another Origin series they were favoured to win, going down 22-12 to a spirited Maroons side in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Here are the major talking points.
When given this job in 2018, given the stars of QLD were retiring and NSW were emerging with a plethora of young talent, the Blues looked set for a period of dominance.
Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler looked destined to take this team to the top.
Five years in, yes, he’s won three titles – you cannot take that from him – but he’s also suffered two bad defeats.
One was at the hands of the “worst QLD side in history” and now to a rookie coach in Billy Slater.
Upon all of these statistics, a few dubious selections he has made over the three games have caused headlines everywhere, namely no Josh Ado-Carr for the entire series, and a host of others.
His record in club land doesn’t hold up to an established level of coaching and now his Origin career is at a crossroads, when he could be arguably 5-0.
What the board of NSWRL do from here on out, will cause huge repercussions for them moving forward.
Brad Fittler (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Penrith Panthers are undoubtably the team of the season. They’re flying high like they have been the previous two seasons.
This year NSW took a chance to emulate that success, and selected a record seven Panthers for Game 3.
Outside of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and potentially Api Korisau, the four other Panthers had not exactly lit up the Origin arena this year, or even throughout the season.
Jarome Luai attempted to take on a villain role whilst standing over injured Selwyn Cobbo, and boy did it come undone.
One shocker pass and a bad miss on Kalyn Ponga caused Luai to have an absolute shocker of a game.
Brian To’o has been a shadow of himself and Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton seemed like passengers the past two games.
I think it’s fair to say, a lot of these Panther boys owe their 30k a game cheque, to the likes of Cleary and Yeo. Pick players on form, regardless of team chemistry.
Coming into this Origin series, albeit in shaky form, the questions surrounding NSW captain and fullback James Tedesco were coming far and wide.
It was time to play the player in better form over Teddy for Origin.
Well, in three games of Origin, despite a series loss, Teddy could’ve been very very unlucky to not walk away with the Player of the Series (Wally Lewis Medal).
He was immense in every game. Never stops trying and pops up in places only he can.
The captain should never be questioned for the job, as long as he is playing representative football.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
There’s been two Origin deciders and a grand final where Nathan Cleary has played his absolute worst games.
Many still believe he didn’t deserve the Clive Churchill Medal last year.
Hey, look at 2015, everyone with a brain knows Johnathan Thurston probably wasn’t deserving of his Clivey, but hey here we are!
Cleary lacked direction and control of his team on Wednesday.
The last play, is one of those freak plays that happens every now and then, but the 75 minutes played prior, we failed to see the talents we all know Cleary has.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in Cleary has all the skills in the world to surpass Joey and JT, but I need to see it in a big game.
No NSW forward strikes fear into QLD fans. Payne Hass is a tireless worker, moreso than a mercenary.
Cam Murray, Jake Turbo and Isaah Yeo are just skillfull workhorses who have all the skills in the world, just not the “hit man” type of vibe.
Junior Paulo tried to take it upon himself to create that tonight, just didn’t come off for me. Queensland forwards such as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Papali’i, Jai Arrow and Lindsay Collins, are coming for your head, whether you think it’s grubby or not.
NSW need to instil fear factor back into their pack, but maintain their intense amount of skill.
NSW need to rush Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Tommy Turbo in for 2023.
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