I’ve spent the last couple of days trying to make sense of the NSW team Brad Fittler has selected for the third State of Origin next Wednesday night and I think I’ve worked it out.
There isn’t a common thread through this team and the rationale for choosing each player is completely different. If you try to look for a common thread, you will be as confused as I am.
For example, in the past a dead rubber Game III has often been used to blood players. It’s an opportunity for new players to come into the squad and for coaches to see how they perform in the Origin arena, without the pressure of a series win or loss on their shoulders.
That’s potentially why we see Bradman Best in the squad. He could be part of the future Blues make-up, with this being a perfect opportunity for him to have a go.
But if we are looking to the future, why pick Cody Walker?
Bradman Best (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Walker is one of the best five-eighths in the NRL but given his age, I would be very surprised if we see him in the Blues squad next year.
Not only have the selections confused me (especially the bench), but the way the squad has been managed this series has left me at a bit of a loss and the result is that this is not a Blues team I feel any connection to, at all.
Nicho Hynes was a player that had been part of the Blues wider squad for at least two years. He was brought on for 10 minutes in Game I out of position, made an error and was subsequently dropped.
Stefano Utoikamanu is another similar example. Around the Blues squad, given a small chance to prove himself and then dropped.
Is this how we treat our players? Additionally don’t we need to ask questions about the set-up and coaching staff if players who are in and around the squad for a couple of years get one shot and then, depending on their performance, get pushed aside?
Reagan Campbell-Gillard is another player whose selection I just don’t understand. I am fiercely biased as a Parramatta Eels fan, but weren’t we told that the reason RCG wasn’t selected in previous years was because essentially some of the Penrith Panthers players didn’t like him.
Are we so fickle, that now Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are out of the squad that RCG is back in? If Cleary and Luai come back in next year, does that mean that RCG is out again?
I feel like we are doing the hokey pokey and Queensland just continue to laugh at us.
The truth is, I’m feeling disconnected from the Blues as a set up just a couple of days out from Game III. I would much rather that this dead rubber be scrapped in favour of a Game III for the women after each team had won a game apiece.
This disconnection probably won’t be helped by the announcement by the Rugby League Players Association that players will not take part in any media commitments on days when an NRL, NRLW or State of Origin match is played.
There’s no other way to put it really. The fact that eight months after the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement we still have parties at a stalemate is absolutely diabolical and a reflection of everyone involved.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
In particular, the situation for the NRLW is infuriating. It was reported on February 14 that the NRL and RLPA has reached in principle agreement on key terms for the NRLW CBA.
So what on earth is the hold-up? It just does not make any sense.
The decision to boycott media is an interesting one too.
For the male players, it might not make too much of a difference given just how much coverage the men’s game gets.
But what about the women’s game that is in a growth phase right now?
The reality is, that there are many of us who love covering the women’s game, but by making it harder for the big media players to speak to players I can only see this hurting a competition that needs all the coverage it can get.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
How's the confusion going Mary? Hopefully the NSW win has put your troubled thoughts at rest.
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
The worrying thing about NSW is that Fittler and Alexander are giving off the same vibes as politicians trying to get re-elected. Seriously their interviews for the last few weeks have been diabolical, getting their backs up every time someone asks a legitimate question and trying to make it seem like a personal attack on them or the player.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
What ''common thread'' do the critics want? That's what I'm asking. None of the couch critics were calling for Fittler to drop Ted for game one but it's been the position where QLD have had the biggest edge. Even if Fittler thought of doing it the criticism would have taken the roof off.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why play him 11 minutes? There’s been a stuff up in selection/tactics somewhere along the line… more likely several
Albo
Roar Rookie
In Cairns !
Albo
Roar Rookie
Pretty tough on Stefano, but really, he was only ever selected , because Jake was not available. When Jake is right for game 3 , Stefano loses out.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
A common thread in selection helps your game plan, if you have one. This seems to be a problem for Freddy of late. Not much of a plan. His selections have been reactive. I think it's due to having an over abundance of options, combined with not being clear on how he wants the team how to play. Meanwhile, Billy Slater is having a fat time doing his best Hannibal Smith impressions.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Stefano got 11 minutes… who “dominates” in 11 minutes? I haven’t heard one reasonable justification for why he’d be picked for game 2, only given 11 minutes and then dropped Makes no sense
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Blues will get pumped and it will be hilarious
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mary - I know exactly what you mean about feeling ‘disconnected’ to the team For me, it’s more about the lack of tactics, shape and strategy. The constant rotation of players is a symptom of that Having said that, I think the state of disconnection is a NSW thing. I can’t imagine Queenslanders feeling like this… Anyway, while we’re in self loathing mood :laughing: congrats to Queensland. Their tactics and selections have been as brilliant as NSW has been poor. They’re deserved winners and it’s not just because NSW have been poor
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Of course I thought thru the question. Explain why there needs to be a common thread in selections? I could go thru every QLD selection in the past and point out players who got one game and bang on about how that proves that they shouldn't have been selected in the first place. It's not as simple as that. How about all the NRL players who played one or two games at club level. Is that some sort of proof that the selectors are clueless and they should never have been selected? Lovely in hindsight anyway. I've coincidently had a look at Alexander explaining selections just now and he does explain them. Some better than others. Have you thought thru who was going to make way for Jake T? Have you considered the fact that RCG was coming back from injury and was not considered ready for game 2? It's the level of criticism I don't get. It sounds like the selectors at state and club level when teams lose are the dumbest people on the planet and the critics are complete champions in their own lunch time. In Bennets first series , I think it was. He selected P.J Marsh at hooker in game one. Crocker was hooker in game two after Marsh was injured and Scott Sattler was the other player considered who then played off the bench. Did Bennett follow your logic with Sattler and Crocker as hookers who MUST be given more than one game.? No , he selected Cameron Smith. Each case is different and this idea that you can't select a player for one game and then discard him is pure nonsense. Any player who is good enough in any sport will react to being dropped and come back better than ever. The examples are that numerous that I won't even bother listing any.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Here we go again! When QLD lose there is very very rarely the wringing of hands about player selections. It's quite rightly put down to better team on the night won. The first game was close but the best Team when it counted was QLD. The games are won on the night by the most determined side executing a game plan. This player selection bingo NSW go on with is nauseating.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Fittler isn't in the same league
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Give me a break. This is still just the second season since Reynolds was playing for the cardinal and myrtle. More than half of the current NRL players were still in school when Teddy, Moses and Woods last played for the Tigers.
Emcie
Roar Guru
With Teddy, Moses and the Fox in the side maybe they should have gone Brooks instead? And bring back Woods
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
If Fittler is so heavily invested in keeping club combinations together wherever possible it would have made a lot more sense if Adam Reynolds was selected as HB to partner his old Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker. . Perhaps, if Benny Elias was Reyno’s uncle he would have been.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Who says RCG wasn’t selected in previous years because some of the Penrith Panthers players don’t like him? I’m watching Warrington v St.Helens at the moment. Don’t tell me who won. Warrington score in the corner to make it 6-6 with a kick to come. Matt Dufty is the Warrington full-back.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Lol. ‘ Freddy selects players like he’s part of an NRL fantasy comp. ‘. Yes, yes, yes, this exactly.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Jake and CRG were not available in games 1 and 2. Turbo needed to be replaced. Hudson Young, Stefano and Paulo didn't dominate and in most years wouldn't have been picked.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think the NSW jersey is given out too easily. Freddy will run out of debutants soon!