Dugan and Ferguson controversy shows what is wrong with NSW’s Origin mindset, writes Mal Meninga
THE controversy surrounding Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan is the perfect illustration of what is wrong with NSW’s mindset when it comes to Origin, writes MAL MENINGA.
Opinion
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THE alleged drinking session undertaken by Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan in the lead-up to the third State of Origin game was probably the perfect illustration of what is wrong with NSW’s mindset when it comes to Origin.
And not because of anything Ferguson or Dugan did.
I’m only offering an opinion on face value here, which is based on the facts as I understand them at the moment.
And what I believe happened is this — two players were on a day off and went for a trip up the road to have a few beers and a punt, and to meet up with some friends.
No one said they misbehaved, no one said they were back to the hotel late, no one said they were heavily intoxicated, and no one questioned their efforts at training the next day.
So who cares?
It was not the day before the game, it was five or six days prior. They did nothing wrong.
They were on a day off and went somewhere to relax and unwind. Some of their teammates went to Byron Bay to play golf. I’m certain some of them would have had a beer or two on their way around, and so they should.
The only negative in the whole situation has been the torrent of faux outrage from people outside of the Blues set-up, who are simply looking for scapegoats to explain away another loss.
Once again, instead of acknowledging the way Queensland won the game, some in NSW are trying to find excuses why the Blues lost it or have other agendas about the way the team is run.
Instead of finding reasons to improve, NSW are conducting a witch-hunt looking for something or someone to blame.
If it’s not Dugan and Ferguson, it’s the referees, or the halfback, or this or that. Good teams own the losses just as much as the victories.
MAROONS NEVER SAY DIE
QUEENSLAND’S performance in Origin III was one of the best I have seen since I have been involved in Origin — and I was there in 1980!
My favourite part of their win was their defence. Coaches often say defence reflects attitude. They say it so often because it is true.
And what I saw was a Queensland team prepared to do whatever it took for their state, their team and the man beside them.
It was inspiring stuff.
We all know Origin is another level up from club football. It is faster, the hits are bigger, the pressure greater and the effort required just to compete is incredible.
For the Maroons to absorb everything they did under such pressure was amazing.
It was a win for the ages.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
QUEENSLAND’S success is built on the attribute the Blues are lacking at the moment — Leadership.
When a guy like Cameron Munster comes into the team, he learns what being a Maroon is about from guys like Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.
Smith and Cronk learnt it from the likes of Darren Lockyer, Lockyer learnt it from names like Langer, Walters and Tallis, and so on and so on.
NSW don’t have that but I think in Boyd Cordner, they have the perfect place to start.
Laurie Daley has some really good young men in that NSW team that they can build a new culture around. Laurie just needs to decide whether he wants to continue the building work that he started.
KEVVIE IS KING
KEVIN Walters should feel justifiably proud of what he has achieved in his time as Queensland coach, and for delivering the Maroons one of their finest victories.
Only an exceptional coach could have achieved what Walters has done, not just with this year’s series, but since he took the job.
Kevvie came into the job after a period of tremendous success. He didn’t just accept the challenge that brings, but built on it.
He has made some tough decisions in his time as coach, but has never backed away from them.
To win a series in the face of so much adversity this year was just remarkable. I hope he is as proud of his achievement as we all are of him.
Originally published as Dugan and Ferguson controversy shows what is wrong with NSW’s Origin mindset, writes Mal Meninga
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