What’s the Buzz: Pressure grows on Blues coach Brad Fittler

He’s claimed two State of Origin series in three attempts, but now NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has to win next year to be assured of keeping his job.

Blues coach Brad Fittler has to win next year’s series to be assured of keeping his job. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Freddy Fittler still has the support of powerful figures at the NSW Blues — and deservedly so.

However, he has to win next year’s series to be assured of keeping his job.

One big name has already been mentioned as a potential replacement — Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, who steps down at the end of next year as Storm coach.

There is also the highly regarded assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon, although he is likely to have a first-grade coaching role by 2022.

There are a number of reasons why Freddy has been under the pump in recent days.

Selecting too many players outside of their specialist positions and not using Ryan Papenhuyzen as a genuine utility on the bench in the Origin decider has been the biggest issue.

The selection of four middle forwards unbalanced the squad.

Parramatta’s Nathan Brown got only 11 minutes.

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Blues coach Brad Fittler after losing game three of the State of Origin series.

It is harsh to be criticising Fittler considering he won the trophy two straight years and has been such a wonderful ambassador in the role with his tireless community work. Plus, no one promotes Origin football better than he does.

But Origin is all about winning.

For many, this was supposed to be an unlosable series for NSW.

Freddy’s full-time role with the NSWRL on a $350,000 contract runs out next year.

In these tough financial times, a shorter-term deal like Wayne Bennett has just finished with the Queensland Rugby League might be an option to save costs.

This is why Bellamy’s name has come up should the Blues lose again next year.

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Bellamy coached NSW from 2008 to 2010 for just two wins from nine games.

That stint was against the greatest Maroons side assembled while he was still coaching at the Storm.

In 2022, he will be a part-time coaching director at either the Storm or Broncos.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Pressure grows on Blues coach Brad Fittler