State of Origin I Preview

New South Wales v Queensland

Melbourne Cricket Ground

JT and Cam left us with some magic memories - photo: source - www.abc.net.au

After 12 years of Maroon domination, State of Origin feels like it’s been reset, had a makeover with coaches Brad Fittler and Kevin Walters behind the brushes. Fittler has put the broom through the Blues and ditched damaged players, who in his eyes are holding too much baggage from constant canings, while Walters has had regeneration forced upon him through the retirements of QLD legends. Renewal in part began last year for Walters with Greg Inglis and Matt Scott’s injuries and the game one debacle ushering in new blood but has gone into overdrive with Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and belatedly Cameron Smith saying au revoir to Origin with Billy Slater to follow at the end of this series and unfortunately a late withdrawal from game one with a gammy hammy. Kalyn Ponga and Anthony Milford have been drafted into camp. I know who I'd go with... take a leaf out of Freddy's book.

Come on Kevvie give Ponga a crack!!!

Walters has taken the safe route, Michael Morgan will play at the back with Anthony Milford moving onto the bench. Ponga's time will come maybe before this series is over.

Freddy Fittler confident of victory - photo: source - www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Excitement surrounds the New South Wales side selected as Freddy Fittler has gone with a stunning 11 debutants backing youth, not surprising for a man who debuted for NSW as an 18 year old, if you’re good enough it doesn’t matter your age in Freddy’s books and it is this attitude that has

Blues fans excited for the first time in about twelve Origin series, nine Prime Ministers and eight ‘The Fast and the Furious’ movies.

Past NSW teams have gone in with a defensive mindset just trying to limit Queensland and forgetting to play footy. Fittler’s philosophy is attack, attack, attack, with and without the ball! This side features skill, toughness, talent to burn and the most exciting aspect – electrifying speed, the one element you cannot coach and the Blues brothers have it by the bucket load.

This is a NSW version of ‘The Fast and the Furious’.

The Flying Fox v Jimmy the Jet, who wins, who cares! - photo: source - www.theaustralian.com.au

The Blues back five James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts have long suffering fans salivating and you’d pay good money just to watch a match race between them.

My money is on Jimmy the Jet over the Flying Fox by a whisker.

With that pace and strike power comes the issue – defensive liability and this is an area QLD will look to hammer. Greg Inglis, especially with the © beside his name will grow an extra foot, a scary prospect, the big fella is already a large human! Facing James Roberts, Inglis will fancy his prospects of giving NSW the GI Blues. While on the other side, Latrell Mitchell is a gamble worth taking, he has pace, power with a fend to die for but opposes the best defensive centre in the game Will Chambers. Mitchell needs space and time which Origin normally doesn’t allow but Fittler is banking on his halves creating some. Early ball from early doors is the key to free Mitchell and get him in the game. The risk is Latrell also makes some poor defensive reads which the Maroons will look to expose.

Cameron Munster like all Queenslander's loves donning the Maroon jersey - photo: source - www.dailytelegraph.com.au

The halves clash is a cracker, the Maroons had an easy choice as Daly Cherry–Evans is still on the outer despite insistence from the QLD hierarchy he’s not. Pull the other one Kevvie it plays Eagle Cock, I mean Rock. Ben Hunt is in superlative form for the Dragons and though under an injury cloud with a severe cork, he’ll play. Hunt is under more threat of physical pain from his halves partner Cameron Munster! The two infamously traded blows in Kangaroo camp and talk about mate versus mate, the banana benders have roomed them together, just throw in a pair boxing gloves, a bottle of bundy rum and lock the door.

They’ll be best mates by morning.

Two cool heads in a crisis, Brad Fittler and Nathan Cleary - photo: source - www.dailytelegraph.com.au

The Blues have gone with the NRL ladder leading Panthers pair of hard head James Maloney and young gun Nathan Cleary, who have combined brilliantly in club land but Origin is a different beast. NSW have thrown many young halves to the wolves but it certainly doesn’t feel that way with Cleary, who is calm and never seems phased.

Some free advice to selectors, pick n stick, give the kid the series.

Cleary’s short kicking game is probably the best of the halves but QLD have a distinct advantage with running. Hunt’s timing has been immaculate this season playing career best footy. Munster has thrived in this arena before, is Origin tough and he could be the Maroons ace. Maloney’s defence has been under the microscope and a focal point of Walter’s game plan but may have the final laugh with his tremendous pin point goal kicking. QLD look to be going with Val Holmes who is no JT when it comes to match winning sideline conversions.

Can Cook carry his red hot Rabbitohs form to the Origin cauldron? - photo: source - www.foxsports.com.au

The forwards is an area where there seems to be a marked difference between the states. NSW are dynamic and in form, bar Boyd Cordner who let’s be honest if he wasn’t the incumbent skipper wouldn’t have been picked, while the Maroons are plodders in comparison to the mobile Blues. This is where the style of game comes to the fore.

The refereeing will be crucial to the outcome.

QLD will want an NRL type game of 2018, slow with lots of stoppages. A fast game, a typical Origin game with limited penalties will suit the speedy, young Blues though it can also breeze past a player caught like a deer in headlights. A quick tempo brings Blues dummy half Damien Cook right into play and if he rises to the occasion could be the game breaker. The ruck is always crucial and was an area that Cameron Smith ruled at this level with an iron fist wrapped in an accountant’s body. It is the absence of the genius of this cauldron that will hurt the Maroons the most. Andrew McCullough is tough but doesn’t control the game like Smith did who was the master puppeteer of the pace and rhythm of the ruck. Ben Hunt just got an anvil placed on his back as he has to manage QLD’s game potentially off the back foot.

New cane toad skipper Greg Inglis as Maroon as they come... Macksville is in QLD isn't it? - photo: source - www.thechronicle.com.au

The Maroon forwards must stand tall and if they do it is advantage QLD as they have one area that is well in their favour – experience. Most of this squad knows Origin though they have lost heaps of legends they still have players who have won at this level.

Origin comes down to moments and intangibles, players that produce something when it is most needed. 

. Origin II last year is a prime example, NSW fluffed their lines and QLD as usual took their chance and pounced. While there is no Smith or JT and for this match no Slater, there is an Inglis packed with pride and passion. GI is an inspired choice as skipper, sometimes quiet, this honour will push GI to rise when his mates look under the pump.

Josh McGuire will be a key figure if QLD are to start the series with a win - photo: source - www.wwos.nine.com.au

On paper NSW look to have QLD covered, if this was an NRL match. This is Origin. QLD are back where they love being, underdogs, and will try to unsettle the rookie Blues. Dylan Napa, Josh McGuire and Josh Papalii will deal out as many bone rattling, boundary pushing tackles as they can early on and test the mettle of the Blues. This is what this match basically comes down to: will NSW handle the occasion? If they do they have the attacking weapons to win and potentially win well. If stage frights kicks in QLD are right in this.

Underestimate a QUEENSLANDER!!!!!!! at your peril.

Kevvie Walters is a joker that masks his toughness, mirrored in his men, a tight knit squad who will rally round each other even more now Slater is out. Freddy Fittler is a spiritual man guided by feelings, his gut instinct.

Freddy feels the need, the need for speed!

But don’t be fooled by the attack, these Blues can tackle too and will get down and dirty, they must, to earn the right to unleash the speed demons that can bury the Maroons. The pack is tough enough and if they get on top watch Tyson Frizzell rip n tear, my tip for man of the match. Being played at the neutral MCG in Melbourne the pressure is really on QLD as if they don’t win the series could be over before we reach Suncorp Stadium for game three. I’m backing youth. It’s a new dawn for Origin and maybe the beginning of a Blues dynasty... now where have I heard that before?

No Smith, no Thurston, no Cronk, no Slater, no Scott, no Boyd... NSW - no excuses.

NSW by 8

Tyson Frizzell my tip to take Melbourne by storm on Wednesday - photo: source - www.thewest.com.au