It took a while, but they got there in the end. The Foxx flew, Bradman was Best and James Tedesco, after 160 minutes of struggle, finally brought his A Game to State of Origin.
That left edge was what unlocked the Queensland defence after two games of toil in this year’s series: Josh Addo-Carr, feeding off the Newcastle centre and the Souths maestro, Cody Walker.
It’s what makes Blues coach Brad Fittler confident that his side can take something from their 24-10 victory in the dead rubber into the 2024 series, with fans remembering the potential inherent within this side.
“I’m glad that we executed a couple of nice tries,” he said. “It’s great to see Foxx in space, scoring tries in front of 75,000 people.
“It’s a sport and when it’s done well, it’s so entertaining. To see Foxx in space to chip over a fullback and regather, people will go home and remember that forever. Now we have to do it in Game 1 and 2.
“There’s a lot of good to take out. You can only win the game that’s in front of you and they did. But we should have been better in Game 1 and 2.
“You can’t change anything, but I’m glad our crowd got to see some really exciting moments, some speedsters in space to get off their chair and have a cheer.”
Fittler focussed in on Best, the breakout star of the evening.
“He was so good,” said the coach. “He’s always had that. He’s been at a club that hasn’t done well for a long time. Now it’s up to him to take it to the next level.
“To see him score some tries is just wonderful. A lot of fans, once they absorbed the fact that he was playing, I think they were excited. For him to go and score a couple of tries was just great.
“He was pretty grateful when I was there. I had a small opportunity to say hello after the game and congratulate him. He was very excited, just looking around.
“I think sometimes you forget when you haven’t been in that arena that 75,000 people is a lot to take in. It’s a big experience for him.”
Tedesco, too, turned in his best showing of the year, leading Fittler to mention a run-in he had with the player’s father before the game.
“It was good to see him in space,” he said. “It was funny, I was talking to his Dad earlier and he was rattling off stats, he couldn’t understand why people were criticising him so much. It’s funny how far it stretches.
“Teddy’s been strong. During Game 2 he changed how he played because we asked him to, and he was able to do it. That means he’s out there listening and thinking, he’s not just full of pressure and angst. I was wrapped with the way he went today.
“I just said that, at the end of the day, if things aren’t going great you need to change some things. He’s a smart kid. He’s got a lot going on. He’ll work it out, he’s tough.
“I asked him a lot of questions and he came up with pretty good answers.’
Emcie
Roar Guru
I see. Well in that case QLD were robbed!! They were 10 minutes away from 12 in a row thanks to game 2 in 2014!!
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. If it weren't for the occasional Billy Slater not-offside or Greg Inglis not-knock on...
Emcie
Roar Guru
weren't NSW about 7mins away from a series win for the better part of about 12 years?
The Wollongong Ocean
Roar Rookie
Agree. It’s not a bad headache to have but also don’t want to get it wrong. Edwards, Mitchell, Best, T Trbojevic, Drinkwater, Papenhuyzen, Gutherson, Burton, Crichton, To’o, Addo-Carr, Tago, Staggs, Graham…. Reality is, if all are fit and in form then likely 8 of these 14 will miss out on a starting spot. All good enough to play Origin, good to have backups I guess?
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
nsw were 7 minutes away from a series win Glad someone is remembering this amid all the sky-is-falling doom and gloom. Imagine what Maroons supporters would be saying right now if their team had lost the series due to one missed tackle in the final ten minutes of one game if three / four / five (six?) of their best players had been out for one or more games. (Cleary, Trell, Turbo, Wighton, RCG, Haas) They'd be crowing about their resilience and QLD spirit.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
Qld had no spark in the first half. Billy must have given them a rocket in the sheds. They tried in the 2nd half but NSW had their tails up and stood firm, winning both halves. Glad it's all over and we can enjoy the rest of a disjointed year.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Martin created space for Walker to exploit the weak decision making of Qld's right edge. Something that didn't happen in game two. Billy has to rethink the right side line up for next year. Hopefully Cobbo is filled out more and is ready for a full Origin series
astro
Roar Rookie
All depends on fitness and form, but: - FB = Mitchell or Edwards...Or maybe even Crichton depending on how he goes at the Dogs. - Centres = Mitchell, Crichton, Best, Graham, Tago, Staggs - all about form. Turbo, if fully fit, is also obviously in the mix.
astro
Roar Rookie
Murray and Martin made Fittler look a complete fool for not playing them more minutes in Games 1 and 2, ahead of Frizell and Young. They're two of NSW's best, and should be first choice back-rowers.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Got to say , Lindsay Smith at Penrith. Isn’t much bigger than Yeo. You’re right. He didn’t look good before. Still not sure you’d be choosing him, if all you want is a prop? There’s got to be someone else. Leniu comes to mind. :stoked:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think there’s two kinds of middles now. The big bopper Paulo, RCG, Haas type and the more mobile Murray, Yeo, Jurbo type It’s a risk playing too many of either type at once but rotating Yeo and Jurbo worked pretty well Yeo’s distributor role works so well for Penrith, but NSW just had him going sideways with no one running off him. He’s looked terrible. It was great seeing him play more direct and much better as a result
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Yes. You wouldn’t actually choose Yeo as a prop. Yet he was alright. A bit more weight & who knows? :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought Crichton’s defence was brilliant and he’s been strong throughout. NSW strategy and subsequent lack of room has put him under a lot of pressure all series There’s a lot of water to go under a lot of bridges before game 1 next year, but a few players should have given themselves the inside running Martin and Kaloamatangi were awesome. Reg and Jurbo were very good. Yeo handled his different role very well. Murray was great, etc
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Who are the centres & fullback next year? Despite lots of criticism. Crichton had perhaps his best game in SOO. Ran well & defended with attitude. Just the couple of lapses , not assisting his winger with kicks. Best dropped the ball once. Other than that , a try assist. Scored 2 tries , backed up well & made an excellent link man in attack. His opposite found him difficult to deal with in attack & defence. Maybe Tedesco will decide enough is enough? Concentrate on the Roosters from now on. Who could blame him! Been one of the best around for years , yet has taken a shellacking this season, for NSW. Best game he’s had for NSW for a little while . Good runs , try assist & solid in defence. I also haven’t cared much about SOO. Only watched to see how Best & Walker would go.
Neser fan club
Roar Rookie
Although nsw were 7 minutes away from a series win (refer game 1), let Freddy enjoy his moment in the sun after winning a meaningless match. From a Queensland perspective, I hope his coaching tenure is extended.
Simon SS
Roar Rookie
Look I'll admit I didn't care at all until that first Best no try. State of Origin hasn't been much fun this year. Injuries and disappointments. Hopefully next year the coach can pick the best players available for the whole series and not just for one game.