Heading into Origin 2, it's do or die for New South Wales.
The great thing about the three-match series is a lot can change between games, and my belief is there must be change when it comes to the Blues.
It's always easy to panic and call for mass changes after a loss but Fittler is too experienced at this level to throw the toys out of the cot. That said, international selection, injury concerns and selection error from Game 1 necessitate changes for the must-win Game 2.
In my opinion, there are five changes that need to be made. On the surface that sounds like an outlandish statement but they're more tweaks rather than a complete overhaul.
Here are the five changes that need to be made to ensure the Blues head to Suncorp in a month's time with the Shield on the line.
Both Daniel Tupou and Kotoni Staggs have been named for Tonga despite reportedly making themselves available for New South Wales.
Regardless of the decision, I don't believe either will be lining up come Origin 2 in Perth.
Josh Addo-Carr has been the game's elite winger for years now and has torn shreds off Queensland opponents for almost as long.
The Blues lacked genuine threat out wide. Tupou is no slouch, but Addo-Carr has blistering speed that means a split second can change the game.
Addo-Carr has responded to his Game 1 snub as champions do; by going back to his club and being the best winger in the competition since.
I was shocked he was not included in the series-opener and I believe if Fittler had it over again he'd have gone with the Fox.
Tupou did not let anyone down but he was picked due to Fittler's worry about QLD's height out wide. That's all well and good but Addo-Carr is no easy beat in the air either.
This is an absolute no-brainer for mine and would be very difficult to pass up.
The second of two obvious changes is to fix the error from Game 1. Why Fittler thought naming one of the game's elite centres on the bench was a good idea is beyond me.
Ok, it worked out via an injury to Staggs but Chrichton was thrown in late on and never really found his feet. On debut no less.
Chrichton showed this past weekend that he is a weapon and his club partnership with To'o must be selected.
Wighton was far superior to Staggs in the opener and retains his spot. I'm happy to eat crow there.
Staggs is in doubt due to injury but his being named for Tonga indicates he'll probably be right by rep round either way.
With the greatest of respects, after his below part Game 1, I don't think the choice will be his.
Fittler had it right at first. Two centres run on and the game's best utility plays from the bench. Then he changed it. For what reason? I am still scratching my head.
If Wighton starts at centre, as he should after a brilliant performance in the opener, then Hynes is the utility.
Ryan Papenhuyzen would be picked on the back of no NRL games in over a month. Fittler has already stated Latrell Mitchell won't be considered, and he is an Origin veteran now. This effectively rules out Pap.
Hynes has been brilliant all season in the halves for the Sharks. He was a megastar in the one for the Storm and has started in the centres and in the middle.
Hynes is a luxury pick. If the Blues are rolling and have the game in hand, perhaps there's no need for Hynes. That said, if things aren't going well he can certainly change a game.
I'm not a believer that there has to be a utility player on the bench. I'd be happy if four forwards are picked, especially with the stringent (and 100 per cent warranted) HIA rules. If you're going to pick a utility though, he needs to be a utility and not a centre.
I don't believe myself to be breaking any news here but the starting second row for the Blues just didn't work last Wednesday night.
Liam Martin ran for just 31 metres in 80 minutes of football. How does that even happen? Tariq Sims ran for 83 but I can't remember anything standing out.
Cameron Murray's demotion on the night had to have been forced. He's been nothing short of incredible at Origin level and entered in good form despite injury.
Murray has to start. Anything less, injury aside, is putting the Blues on the back foot.
Whether you start Ryan Matterson, or you bring in Tyson Frizell or Angus Crichton, I can't see Martin or Sims starting Origin two. I'd keep one for the bench.
The other alternative, and the way I would 100% would go though is ...
Haumole Olakau'atu has been named to play for Tonga next Saturday afternoon. Freddy Fittler needs to be on the phone, now, to ensure his Tongan debut doesn't come until the World Cup.
Olakau'atu is in blistering form and demands selection. Ok, there's a risk blooding a rookie in an away game in a must-win environment but no more risk than running out players who aren't even starting for their club side.
I'd be tempted to make that same call to Keaon Koloamatangi also but the likelihood is there's only room for one of the two.
Tyson Frizell has been an Origin mainstay for many years now but the time to unleash the Manly weapon is upon us!
That said, he may very well thumb his nose at Fittler and run out for Tonga. That's very much his right but Fittler has to ensure a decision is required and not overlook the future Origin regular.