Crawley Files: Brad Fittler’s chance to do a Queensland on Queensland in Origin 2
Too old for Origin? Paul Crawley has a staunch message for those writing off Adam Reynolds’ NSW hopes based purely on his age. Read more in Crawley Files.
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People associated with the NSW team bristle every time someone dares to suggest they don’t get Origin like the Queenslanders do.
Well, here’s Brad Fittler’s chance to do a Queensland on Queensland in State of Origin.
Instead of worry about age, inexperience or popularity, let’s hope Fittler just picks the best bloody team on form for once, and forgets about favourites or who plays for which club.
It should start with the man called up to take over from Nathan Cleary, whether it be Adam Reynolds, Nicho Hynes or Mitchell Moses.
If Reynolds is not the halfback because Fittler doesn’t rate him, so be it. After all, it’s Fittler’s job on the line here.
But it is outrageous that Reynolds’ age has even entered the debate – because age should be irrelevant if a player is in the form of Reynolds while leading the Broncos from the basket-case they were before he arrived to be equal competition leaders with Cleary’s Panthers.
And do you think Billy Slater cares that Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is 34, two years older than Reynolds?
Or that hooker Ben Hunt is 33?
Let’s remember that when Slater was faced with the loss of Cameron Munster for the series decider last year he was forced to call on an Origin rookie in Tom Dearden, who was 21 at the time.
But did you hear any excuses coming out of Queensland?
Not on your life.
They just went out and got the job done, against the odds, as per usual.
Here’s another one to throw into the conversation.
How about we go all the way back to 2001 when Allan Langer was recalled from the other side of the world.
Wayne Bennett certainly didn’t let fear stand in his way when he made the SOS to his old mate, who was living in England at the time playing for Warrington.
But from there little Alf caught the next plane home, where Ben Ikin picked him up at the airport, as the most impossible dream in Origin history became a reality.
With Langer starring in that famous victory at the ripe old rugby league age of 34 and 336 days.
That is exactly two years and 10 days older than the current Broncos captain will be when the Blues run out for Origin II on June 21 at Suncorp Stadium.
CONTENDERS FOR NSW NO. 7
In the countdown to this NRL round that has so much riding on it from an Origin perspective, Reynolds, Hynes and Moses will all get a chance to put their hand up this weekend.
The three-way shootout kicks off on Saturday night when the Broncos tackle the Knights at the ground where Origin II will be played.
On Sunday, Hynes will get his chance to deliver serve when the Sharks take on the Storm in a huge game down in Melbourne – where Hynes goes head-to-head with Queensland superstars Munster and Harry Grant.
Then on Monday, Moses lines up for the Eels in their clash with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
As far as Origin selection rehearsals go, it’s hard to remember a bigger weekend for three players in line for the same position.
CASE FOR REYNO
Let’s not make any excuses for the Blues because what Fittler has at his disposal are three very good options.
In Reynolds’ case, he is arguably the best game-managing halfback in the NRL right now with the best kicking game.
I wrote a column last week even before Cleary was injured that Reynolds should be the halfback for game two in the wake of NSW’s utterly underwhelming performance in Adelaide. And that the Panther-isation of the NSW team just wasn’t working is proven by the fact Queensland had won two of the past three series despite having what many believe the inferior team on paper.
But if Reynolds was to return, I believed his old sidekick from South Sydney Cody Walker should also be wearing the No. 6 jumper.
With Cleary now gone, it only strengthens the argument that Jarome Luai cannot hold his spot.
There is just no question Walker is the competition’s form five-eighth, and if the Blues are fair dinkum about picking the right man and not sticking with favourites or through loyalty, Walker should also be a walk up start.
IF HYNES GETS THE NOD
Hynes has also been in exceptional form and is the reigning Dally M medallist.
Yes, there is a significant risk sending him out for his Origin starting debut at halfback in a must-win game at the toughest rugby league ground in the world to play at, especially if you’re not a Queenslander.
But the argument against those concerns is to look at what Dearden did for Queensland last year?
One thing’s for certain, if Hynes gets the nod there won’t be a NSW supporter not cheering for him.
Everyone knows Hynes’ backstory, and the challenges this incredible young man has had to overcome, and it would be truly inspiring to see him get the chance to run out in the NSW No. 7 jumper as the ultimate reward for all the hardship and sacrifice he has endured.
WHY MOSES IS FRONT-RUNNER
In respect to Moses, I get the feeling this is the way Fittler is leaning right now, especially on the back of Phil Gould’s comments this week that he thinks the Parramatta playmaker is the right man for the job.
We all know the relationship Gould has with Fittler, and you only have to look back to Tevita Pangai’s peculiar selection for game one to know that Gould obviously still holds considerable sway.
But Fittler was also lavish in his praise of Moses back in 2021 when Moses came in for the then injured Cleary and played through what was later revealed to be fractured bones in his back.
Moses also guided the Eels to last year’s grand final and has been in great form this year – with his match-winning field goal in the round four win over Cleary’s Panthers proving he too can own the clutch plays.
FREDDY’S MAKE OR BREAK MOMENT
We also need to take into account that when Cleary returns he will walk straight back into the No. 7 jumper next year.
So the decision for NSW is not about developing a player for the future, or worrying if he will be too old next year.
It is about picking who Fittler believes will give the Blues the best chance of victory, right here, right now.
Whichever way it goes, make no mistake, this is Fittler’s make or break moment as an Origin coach.
If NSW win, it will not only keep the series alive but it will give Fittler some hope of keeping his job next year.
But if he gets it wrong, it will be another series down the drain for the Blues – who will also be looking for a new coach for next year.
THE ULTIMATE NRL ROLE MODEL
Jarrod Croker is the ultimate proof nice guys don’t have to finish last in the tough and often brutal world of NRL.
With the Canberra captain set to become just the second Raider to achieve the 300-match milestone against the Warriors at GIO Stadium on Friday, it is amazing to look back on the 32-year-old’s 15-year first grade career and realise not once in all that time has Croker ever caused any trouble whatsoever for the club, or the game.
Not on the field, or off it.
Never once sent off, never once suspended. Never once in the headlines for causing strife on a night on the town.
He doesn’t belittle opposition players, or carry on like a mug when his team is winning, or losing.
But what Croker has done is set a wonderful example of how respect and decency can still be a part of professional sport, along with loyalty.
He is a man everyone in the game should be celebrating this weekend, not just the Raiders and their fans.
WHY HASLER SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN
The best NRL head coach out of work at the moment is Des Hasler, and he has the record to prove it.
While the Dragons are now said to be honing in on Shane Flanagan after Jason Ryles knocked them back, Hasler rarely gets a mention in any of the public debate as pressure also builds on Justin Holbrook at the Titans and Adam O’Brien at the Knights.
But Hasler’s record speaks for itself, a 56.3 per cent winning strike rate over 18 seasons and 458 games.
In comparison, of all the experienced NRL head coaches without a club, Flanagan is next best with a 55.1 per cent strike rate (over eight seasons), followed by Michael Maguire 48.9 (10 seasons), John Morris 47.1 (three seasons) and Paul McGregor 46.4 (seven seasons).
If the Dragons aren’t interested in the five-time grand finalist and two-time premiership winner, you can only scratch your head and think why not?
But from where I’m standing a club like Gold Coast would be mad to ignore Hasler if the Titans make a decision to go in a new direction.
While no one is out to throw Holbrook under the bus, his results will ultimately dictate the outcome.
And it’s certainly no secret that this year the Titans have given up double figure leads on four occasions in games that if they’d won they’d be top of the comp instead of sitting in 13th on the ladder.
It’s crystal clear that while this is a young roster brimming with some incredible talent, they are seriously lacking direction that comes through experience, and a hard edge to teach them how to handle adversity.
Everyone knows Hasler can be difficult for management to work with because he plays by his own rules, but he certainly knows how to get results.
And at 62, Hasler is also 11 years younger than both Wayne Bennett and Tim Sheens, which is exactly why it would be crazy to write him off returning at some point. We have seen at the Dolphins and Tigers this season how valuable the experience of both Bennett and Sheens has been.
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