For Brad Fittler’s first four Origin series I kept the faith. I was on the band wagon, but unfortunately during the last two State of Origin series Freddy has lost my confidence.
This is mainly due to a string of misplaced decisions made by Fittler and his staff. I listened to Greg Alexander’s explanation of why they went with Damian Cook in the centres to replace Tom Trbojevic after he was injured in game two.
Firstly they were worried about Tabuai-Fidow’s speed, for good reason, and then Cam Murray’s ability to move laterally after returning from a groin injury.
So, if they were worried about a Queensland centre breaking the NSW defensive line, is the best decision to place a hooker into that defensive position?
I feel that was a gamble with odds too big to take. Damien Cook did nothing wrong, he did his absolute best and can hold his head high, it’s not the NSW player’s fault that the score line ended where it did.
Let me state that there is nothing wrong with the players in NSW. The talent and depth of talent is equal, if not better than Queensland.
Just look at the fullback position: James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Edwards, Clint Gutherson, Josh Drinkwater and Ryan Papenhuyzen just to name a few.
And in the back row / lock position they had Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olakauatu, Angus Crichton, the Butcher brothers, Tariq Sims, Luciano Leilua and Ray Stone available. So why risk Cam Murray if they were worried about his groin injury?
Josh Addo-Carr of the Blues (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
This isn’t amateur bush footy played in regional NSW, it’s State of Origin, the pinnacle of professional league.
Going back to the 2022 series and Fittler had another long list of indecisive and cut and paste selections.
Freddy’s practice of pick and flick has a list of one game wonders that includes, Luke Keary, Jacob Saifiti, Katoni Staggs, Ryan Matterson, Nick Cotric, Nicho Hynes, Tavita Pangai Junior, and you could add Jordan Maclean.
And there’s rumours perhaps Stefano Utoikamanu will join this list if Jake Trbojevic is available for game three.
Taking a gamble on someone like Tavita Pangai Junior, as some kind of experiment, leaves me wondering, did they really have confidence in the player to begin with? The selectors obviously were never really sure in their selections in the first place, otherwise they would give the player a second chance.
Plus the selection and use of interchange players in the last two Origin series has been bamboozling and has often left me scratching my head, especially when some players only get 12 minutes game time.
My team for game one of the 2023 series looked like this:
1. Tedesco
2. To’o
3. Mitchell
4. C. Graham
5. T. Trbojevic
6. Hynes
7. Cleary
8. Haas
9. Cook
10. D. Saifiti
11. Frizell
12. Murray
13. Yeo
14. Burton
15. Klemmer
16. Martin
17. Olakau’atu
18. Addo-Carr
19. J. Paulo
But for game three, after Freddy’s first two teams, my game three team would look like this:
1. Edwards
2. To’o
3. Crichton
4. C. Graham
5. Addo-Carr
6. Hynes
7. Moses
8. Haas
9. Cook
10. Paulo
11. Frizell
12. Martin
13. Murray
14. Burton
15. Utoikamanu
16. Robson
17. Koloamatangi
18. Gutherson
19. Leniu
I think with Freddy’s limited use of the interchange bench he can afford to carry Robson and Burton on the bench. And I don’t see the point in making mass changes now.
My preference for the 2024 NSW coach would be Jason Ryles but Paul McGregor is another options and I wonder if Justin Holbrook is a New South Welshman.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
Freddy is not pro-active and is still romancing the early wins he had as a coach at this level. You saw how he waited with a conveyor belt to get Turbo Trbojevic in the side who is either groin or the abductor muscle and he has done the same again with the older brother Jake. He has it in his head that these players were a dynasty. Cameron Murray should have never got a start…Neither should have Trbojevic…Billy said thank you and move Gagai aside and placed the speedy Hammer in there to move uf fast and umbrella Nsw right side forays..It was simple..and the first try was a Munster kick behind Turbo-less who stopped,turned and watched as the Hammer past him to score. Burton was played in the last game last series and QLD targeted him from the 2nd tackle with the big collision where QLD winger was injured.They went after Burton all game to spook him com his high kicks and Fitler did nothing to reassure him. Players are being thrown in like fire starters on a webber and when they don’t explode with fire he flicks them out of the fire. Stephano and Pangai junior….and in come ‘Jake’..who has been falling off origin pace the last 3 series.Addo-carr was brought in for that team humor and comradery but was suffering an ankle injury.Knowing from the precedence before us that Jake won’t survive his calf injury recuperation….Is Fitler in love with the personalities or the state.
Hellhound
Roar Rookie
My head is spinning. Fittler has confirmed what I wrote about in this article. He is so indecisive and the whole selection process doesn’t make sense. Trent Robinson said “you stick solid in the best of times and the worst of times.” “Loyalty is a really key factor in being a team, so that’s really important.” My apologies to Scott Drinkwater, I named his brother in this article. But I meant to say Scott.
Warren Turner
Roar Rookie
Another 10 years please!
Warren Turner
Roar Rookie
WE Qld don't want FF to go!
The Barry
Roar Guru
The two teams on paper are relatively equal - although I’m sure anyone would agree Queensland have outplayed NSW to a man - the difference is the preparation and strategy, not personnel
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
I would like the coach being full time and not a club coach atm. A work mate said or read Brian Smith mentioned. I’d like a ‘real’ coach in the job and a Fitler type bloke as the face. Like Qld with Mal and Hagan. I’m dreading it being another media face or Fitler again.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Agree with your views. IMO the blame for NSW losses (plural) rests solely on Freddy and his side-kick, Brandy. Brandy won a premiership in 1991, and I doubt he has brought any fresh ideas since. The difference between the Maroons and the Blues winning or losing over the last 3-4 years, is/was the coach: Bennett v Freddy, Billy v Freddy. No brainer, who has the smarts. The Freddy pick and flick is a joke, he's done it over the years and doesn't instil any confidence in the players that are either "flicked" or are playing. Game 1: Freddy played Nicho out of position Didnt work, lost. Game 2: Freddy played Cook out of position. Didn't work, lost. AND in both circumstances it isn't the players' fault at all. Freddy terribly unprepared.
Petrol@70c/L
Roar Rookie
Another astonishing take - “ The talent and depth of talent is equal, if not better than Queensland.”… the last 4 games and 2 series beg to differ. Arrogance was and always will be the Achilles heel of NSW players, coaches, selectors, and fans.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If Freddie delegated Moses and Luai to run training (as reported), the accountability has why-dened.
Nat
Roar Guru
A tough situation I guess for them. They should be throwing the sink at Bellamy but need a 2024 stop-gap (much like Greeny was for Qld). That said, no one wants to go down a 3-peat.
Jimbo
Roar Rookie
Fittler AND the NSW players have NO CLUE in attack (and now it would appear, in defense either) But this article is spot on in regards to Fittler, he MUST GO. Tedesco and Luai also should go. And Moses needs to be replaced by a plethora of other halves, Hynes, Reynolds, Walker to name a few. Regardless NSW (we) lack the passion and desire QLD have in spades!!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Read a report this morning that NSWRL are considering giving Fittler another year. Hopefully it was a channel 9 report…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why am I still so angry about this…? :angry: :angry: :crying:
Nat
Roar Guru
I will never feel sorry for NSW but the fans can take heart that NSWRL will move on from Freddy. As so many have pointed out by discarding a lot of very good players it might be right on time before more fans and players lose confidence in the concept. Qld beat NSW through better use of the clipboard but there will be no dynasty. The majority of NSW best players are or coming into the prime of their careers. Haas, Murray, Cleary Mitchell, Crichton, Burton, Staggs, Brailey all under 25yo. However, the window of beating Qld on individual brilliance has closed but the talent remains so the next coach will have to carry more than just passion for the state but a tactical plan to bring that talent together. They'll need it.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
There was an article on this after game 1 About how QLD consistently set up plays after stoppages. The thing I noticed in game 2, is they were doing it in play TB. With the foundation of it in game1, game 2 had a lot more of it in general play with the increased cohesion.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree that personnel isn’t really the problem for the Blues The difference between the teams was shown up in the opening minutes. After turbo was penalised early Queensland had an attacking set about two minutes in On the first play from the penalty, they spread right. Munster was at first receiver. He had Tino and Collins running lines inside and outside respectively. He passed behind Collins to DCE. DCE had Cotter running inside and Walsh sweeping. DCE passed behind Walsh to Holmes who was tackled Next play Queensland took a settler while everyone moved into position for the next play. When you watch it, it’s so precise, everyone knew where they needed to be. Walsh in particular sprinted from the far right to the left side of the field Next play Queensland went left. Carrigan was at first receiver and had Tino running on his outside. He passed behind Tino to Munster. Munster had Fifita running a line inside him and Hammer outside him. Munster passed behind Hammer to Walsh who linked up with Taulagi who was tackled into touch a metre short of NSW line Each play the “decoy” runners were in position to get the ball so NSW’s line had to hold which helped create space for the players outside. Every player was perfectly in position. It was meticulous Queensland had that shape every time they attacked. NSW never did… same as Game 1. The difference between the two team’s preparation was embarrassing