State of Origin Game 2021: Why Brad Fittler was Man of the Match for NSW Blues
One year on from a coaching horror show, Brad Fittler produced a masterclass from the coaches box with a throwback to Origin’s “good old days”, says Buzz Rothfield.
Blues
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blues. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The headline on this column after the Origin III last year read ‘Freddy’s blunder’.
Today it’s about the NSW Blues Origin coach again but obviously in a far more positive light.
No team selection stuff ups this time, no questionable tactics.
Fittler did a superb job to prepare the Blues for an absolutely stunning victory in Townsville.
Stream selected Fox League shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including NRL 360, Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Big League Wrap & more. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Register Free Now >
His coaching was a breath of fresh air and a message for unadventurous NRL coaches who too often want to stick to a rigid attacking structure.
Freddy gave the premiership’s form player Tom Trbojevic a license to the thrill.
In what other games do you ever see a right centre float to his opposite side to inject himself whenever he feels like it. It doesn’t happen.
Any pre-game plan Queensland may have had to try to shut down or restrict the Manly Sea Eagles superstar had to be altered on the run.
You all saw the try early in the second half with Latrell Mitchell scoring from a beautifully weighted kick from Tom Turbo.
This was like a flashback to rugby league in the good old days with an inside and outside centre.
Now let’s be fair dinkum … Freddy will never be in the same league as a Craig Bellamy, a Trent Robinson or Wayne Bennett as a rugby league coach.
But his work with this Blues team cannot be underestimated.
ORIGIN PLAYER RATINGS: Who starred and who flopped in Game I
Look at the way he patched up a broken relationship with Latrell and brought him back into the fold. Latrell was outstanding.
What’s most impressive about Fittler is that he was honest enough to accept a large amount of responsibility for last year’s series loss against ‘the worst QLD side in 40 years’.
There were no excuses, no hard luck stories.
“Coaching is winning and losing,” he said last month, “We lost and I didn’t handle a lot of things well.”
The Blues were sensational under Freddy’s guidance.
On paper they are not a 30-point better side than QLD but the margin was a fair indication of the difference on the night.
As predicted, a fast, dry track suited them more than the Maroons.
They played smart from the start, using outside backs early in the tackle count from the first set in this era where big forwards belting each other in softening up periods no longer exists.
They dominated in every area.
So where to now for Paul Green and the Maroons.
They’ll be better for the run and have Josh Papalii and Kalyn Ponga back for game two at Suncorp on Sunday, June 27.
Still, they’ll be up against it.
Maybe this was the year to tip NSW 3-blot.
More Coverage
Originally published as State of Origin Game 2021: Why Brad Fittler was Man of the Match for NSW Blues
Storm coach puts end date on career
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has opened up on his future and putting a potential finishing date on his legendary career.
Search delayed: Inside the 72 hours that left Blues coachless
Less than 72 hours after outlining his plan to defend the State of Origin shield in 2025, Michael Maguire signed a three-year deal with the Broncos. DAVID RICCIO reveals when the Blues will begin scouting for Maguire’s replacement.