The fallout from NSW's disastrous Origin capitulation seems to be almost complete, with very little, if anything set to change. This despite throwing away the greatest opportunity in recent memory to return to trophy to south of the Tweed.
For the record, Brad Fittler should have been named Origin coach weeks ago, with a new support staff of his choosing, including Andrew Johns to help the halves.
It looks as though Laurie Daley will be given yet another shot at Origin glory, something I am willing to grant him given he was the one able to lead the state to glory for the first time in many, many years.
BUT ... BUT ... his re-appointment, should come with a strict set of conditions, of which are below:
Five, six, seven strikes? You're out!
There will be the odd Roosters fan who still denies that fact that Mitchell Pearce is not an Origin player. How many opportunities has he had now? Too many. Great club player, brilliant club player, but someone who has never been able to step up to dominate at Origin level.
No, he was certainly not the only player to go missing when the pressure was on, and no he wasn't NSW's worst player in any of the games, but as a halfback with plenty of Origin experience, he needed to be the one to lead the side to glory.
Prior to the series, all the talk was about how this was his team, his series. Gallen was accused of over ruling him, despite being the state's best forward for many, many years. Robbie Farah was blamed for poor service from dummy half, despite repeatedly being picked for the side.
He was given every weapon he needed, many of the club mates, to beat that Queensland side. He could not do it. The line is now drawn through his name. He is marked, DO NOT PICK. It doesn't matter if he is the form half of the competition next season, his time is done.
Wing it
A major key factor to the QLD's Origin dominance is their ability to tear out flanks apart. Dane Gagai won Man of the Series from the wing position, a spot he arguably wouldn't have even been given if not for an injury to Greg Inglis.
That is the level of depth and ability out wide. Valentine Holmes scored a hat trick in Origin 3 after scoring on debut in Game 2. Blake Ferguson is yet to score an Origin try.
I don't really mean to single out the Roosters star, as he has been far from the only culprit in recent years, but he never really looked like scoring and was caught out of position on many occasions.
Daley needs to pick wingers who can stop the QLD onslaught, and not wander fifteen metres infield, whilst not trusting their inside partner.
Josh Dugan, after completing a full time move to the centres next season, should be far better suited for the Origin assignment. If Ferguson can fix his positional play, that should see the Dugan/Ferguson combo become far more solid. Hopefully, it stays on the field.
No dickhead policy
I am ALL for a beer, I'm certainly not going to join the chorus of people calling for a booze ban in Origin, in fact, NSW's best performances came in an era where the Toohey's was very readily available, but we need to get professional here.
I'm also not going to join those who want to punish Dugan and Ferguson for heading to the pub a few days out from Origin. They had EVERY right to do so. Just as I have every right to turn up to work wearing a pirate eye patch with a parrot on my shoulder. Doesn't mean I should.
Pick players who want only to win the Origin series. The bonding and pub nights are great fun, but there's plenty of time for that outside camp when the biggest game of your career is not a few days away.
We know Andrew Johns performed plenty of Origin heroics without going without, however, this is a different day and age, and ANY advantage is taken. Don't allow it. Simple. If need be, take away the choice.
Good enough is old enough
SOS Tom Trbojevic, Nathan Cleary and Paul Vaughan.
Turbo was going to be picked if not for a horribly timed (aren't they all) injury. HE was then over looked for Origin 2 and 3 despite being fit. I admire the loyalty but pick the best team available.
Nathan Cleary is already been talked up as a future Origin great. Awesome, get in his ear and tell him he's got a spot in the squad next season regardless, but his form and attitude will decide whether or not he'll play, or just run laps in the warm up.
Paul Vaughan, who was absolutely ridiculously left out of the side, evidently hasn't played enough consistent football, despite being one of the form front rowers of the competition in the lead up to the series.
No, he's no youngster, but if Daley is supposedly picking on consistent form over many years, then QLD showed him how it's done by picking Hess, Holmes and Munster, neither of whom have five years of form behind them.
If you're good enough, you're old and experienced enough.
Who would have thought picking the best side available would win Origin games? Ludicrous.
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