Opinion
Much has already been made about the bungling Blues of 2023, but just when you thought it couldn’t get any more bizarre, well, it just keeps on giving.
Comments from both Brad Fittler and Greg Alexander have again left the majority absolutely perplexed. This may well continue even further towards game day with all players not fronting for the media.
We start with Alexander (who seems way more invested in TikTok than a chief advisor should be), when asked if this camp is going to be any different to the lead-up to Game II.
“Absolutely not and no, no massive changes, no,” he said.
So, an emphatic belief that for all series their approach has been the best possible that they have been able to provide. This despite Fittler clearly stating that his side would be a team run or three short in Game II due to injuries and concussion stand-downs.
He also stated that they “would have a pretty light week, as the guys know what to do at this level.”
This interview was conducted beachside with a coffee in his hand, and mid-interview two players wander past doing the same. The next sentence Fittler bemoans the lack of time to have an ideal build-up.
Adding to this the end comment regarding the result was he felt “they weren’t far away.” Ever the optimist, Fittler is now suggesting four converted tries is not insurmountable to chase a game at Origin level.
Doubling down and it has already been well documented, is his statement of “not many changes” for Game III.
Seven in total, Fittler said it’s really only a couple. The truth is, it is a complete new starting forward pack, and a third different halves pairing in the three games thus far. On top of those head-scratching comments, the loyalty showed to James Tedesco and Josh Addo-Carr is puzzling.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Great coaches make big decisions, and aren’t afraid to make the hard ones.
Technically Tedesco would have been a hard one to scratch from the squad due to his standing in the game and his number of state appearances would suggest that.
However, he has been nowhere near the form fullback in the NRL for more than two seasons. This historically hasn’t been a problem at representative level for many players over the years, but the results haven’t come under his leadership in Origin either.
But so often a player doesn’t get a chance to go out on his terms, so it would be no surprise for Tedesco to call time on his representative career before next years series.
Addo-Carr is woefully out of form and is very lucky to hold his place. Even with Campbell Graham injured Fittler could have followed the form and a debut for Manly’s Reuben Garrick should surely have been considered.
Even the recalled Clint Gutherson would have been a better option as the battling Blues will attempt to play for more than just pride in this deciding encounter. Addo-Carr’s selection was so puzzling that a late switch with the Eels custodian to start would be no surprise.
This could allow the bustling Spencer Leinu to take his deserved place on the interchange bench. This would make far more sense than Fittler sensationally coming and stating he doesn’t have a plan for the long-serving Eels captain, who will wear the 17 jersey.
Every player should be selected for a role they can contribute to the well thought-out game plan. This comment from Fittler is either completely misleading or completely true. We will have to wait to see how he bungles this one.
Also staggeringly Fittler advised Damien Cook pre-Game II that the South Sydney specialist hooker would be covering the backline. That is exactly as it turned out.
The selections of Cody Walker, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Keaon Koloamatangi and Bradman Best weren’t complete shocks but the dumping of Hudson Young and Junior Paulo were.
Also, Jacob Saifiti should be counted as an absolute shock selection. To a lesser degree both Tyson Frizell and Stefano Utoikamanu were also shock omissions, based on both players being in camp for the first two matches.
The last but not least staggering comments were from Alexander.
Firstly, describing Walker as “perhaps the best ball-player the game has seen.” Statistically the Souths maestro is always near the top of attacking charts in the NRL, but at 33 years old and having previously been dumped twice by these coaches, Alexander’s statement just doesn’t make sense.
It probably makes as much sense as Fittler stating Gutherson had been the form player in the NRL for the past month, but completely ignoring the claims of two-time premiership-winning fullback Dylan Edwards.
Furthermore when Alexander was questioned about the role Mitchell Moses would play as part of the new halves pairing, Brandy said Moses doesn’t need to be told what to do. Bringing a new playmaker into the side, as they have done certainly would require as part of the game plan exactly where each player intends to contribute, both individually and collaboratively.
So, the scene is set for Game III, the script is unwritten. In NSW’s case it is probably unreadable anyway.
Will Billy Slater’s solid selections be enough to again trump Fittler’s fellas “who don’t need coaching at this level”?
The answer is almost certainly yes, mainly for the reasons that NSW are badly lacking combinations, any consistency at all and have taken a hail mary, scattergun approach to player selections just like the previous three lost series.
Home ground advantage reduces the deficit to what it could have been.
Predicted score: Queensland winning 24-10, with Cameron Muster earning man of the match honours.
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