Game 3 of State of Origin 2016 showed NSW have a bright future — and here’s how it could shape up

GAME 3 of State of Origin showed NSW have a great future — and here’s how the Blues could shape up in 2017, if MATTHEW JOHNS has anything to do with it.

Wednesday night was a glimpse into the future, and there was so much to like.

Wade Graham, in my opinion, was the best player on the field. He was superb; tough, aggressive, skilful and displayed great leadership.

Graham has been a very good player for a long while, and should’ve been introduced into the Blues squad a few series back.

He showed us the benefits of having a classy ball-playing back-rower on an edge, and I look forward to Bryce Cartwright doing the same.

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James Tedesco showed why so many had been calling for his selection.

James Tedesco’s second half was first class. In the last 10 minutes, with the game up for grabs and the stakes high, he stepped up and made a huge impact.

Poise under pressure is something the Blues have lacked, but Tedesco displayed exactly that.

In the first half, he found it a little difficult to find his niche, but that’s to be expected given the unfamiliarity in our attacking combinations.

Tedesco is only going to get better and better. If fit, he’ll dominate for years to come.

I loved what Matt Moylan gave us in attack, he’s such a natural footballer. His combination with James Maloney was terrific, making the Blues attack far less rigid.

There was a period in the back of the first half where they pushed the attack too sideways. I don’t so much blame Moylan and Maloney for that, this was a result of an attacking structure which has been ineffective for far too long.

When Moylan and Maloney played what they saw and ran the ball at the defence, with their outside men looking to slam gaps, the NSW attack came to life.

Jack Bird and Wade Graham look Origin made.

The Blues’ attacking structure needs to be revamped urgently. This new breed of Blues is better than that block-to-block football.

Matt Moylan’s short pass to Josh Jackson in the 27th minute was the finest piece of playmaking I’ve seen from a Blues player for a number of years.

Tyson Frizell has come of age this series. Frizell was our best player in Game II and was again all-powerful on Wednesday night.

Jack Bird was once again so classy off the bench. He came close to scoring a very powerful try in the 66th minute and in the 68th minute flew down in a kick chase effort, which is often the hallmark of how the Maroons turn a contest.

There’s fearlessness in how the young players go about their football.

They want to go out and play aggressively, and attack Queensland, rather than just trying to defend their way to victory.

So if this is the start of a new era, what will the 2017 squad look like?

Well a bit of food for thought; if I had to pick that team tomorrow this is the side I’d choose.

1. James Tedesco, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jack Bird, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. James Maloney, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Mitchell Pearce, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Wade Graham, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Jake Trbojevic, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Boyd Cordner

Matty Johns thinks Mitchell Pearce should make an unexpected Origin return.

Yes. Mitchell Pearce in the 9. Strong defender, skilful, tough and a great engine. I truly believe Pearce could be a great State of Origin hooker.

Let’s not forget in the middle to late 1990s Andrew Johns played a lot of hooker for NSW.

Joey’s running game, his playmaking and front on defence saw him pick up numerous Man of the Match awards from dummy half.

I think Pearce would find the role of dummy-half liberating. He wouldn’t need to concern himself with pushing the team around the park or thinking too much, he’d just have to get out there and go.

That’s his strength — effort football.

Walters and Daley have shown they are the best men to run their teams.

There’s been much discussion about the future of Laurie Daley but in my opinion Daley deserves to be there for 2017. I believe he is the right man to lead this new young team.

Congratulations must go to Kevin Walters for his series win.

At the beginning of the year Kevvie made the decision to stand down outstanding Queensland prospects, Anthony Milford, Dylan Napa and Valentine Holmes, among others, for behaviour not becoming the Maroon jersey.

He has been rewarded for his leadership.

Originally published as Game 3 of State of Origin 2016 showed NSW have a bright future — and here’s how it could shape up