Brad Fittler steps down: Freddy’s biggest calls as NSW Blues State of Origin coach

Love him or hate him, departing NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler has never been afraid to make tough calls – with mixed levels of success.

Tevita Pangai Junior was a controversial choice by Brad Fittler. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Love him or hate him, departing NSW coach Brad Fittler has never been afraid to make tough, unpopular calls.

With three wins from six series, some paid off, while others failed.

We recount Freddy’s eight biggest coaching calls.

ROOKIE NINE

Game I, 2018 MCG

Blues win 22-12

Brad Fittler immediately stamps his authority on the team by handing out nine debuts in his first game, replacing Blues mainstays such as Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Pearce, Andrew Fifita and Josh Jackson with Nathan Cleary, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Damien Cook and Angus Crichton. The overhaul pays off, with his youthful side clicking straight away and ending Queensland’s hopes in two games.

Angus Crichton and the Blues celebrate victory in 2018. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

MALONEY BALONEY

Game I, 2019 Suncorp Stadium

Blues lose 18-14

Despite playing a key role in the 2018 triumph, James Maloney is dropped for Cody Walker, who also beats out Luke Keary for the No.6 jumper in the series opener. But the Rabbitohs star is hooked on debut during the first half. “I just feel like they had won a big chunk of the second half and I think Cody was just struggling to get into the game,” Fittler said. The coach recalls Maloney for Games II and III, with the Blues winning both to come from behind and lift the shield.

ROCKET UP LATRELL

Game II, 2019 Optus Stadium, Perth

Blues win 38-6

It only took one bad game from Latrell Mitchell for him to be controversially dropped for Game II, with Fittler admitting it was “the hardest thing I’ve had to do”. It coincided with Mitchell making an ugly split from his management team. Fittler’s call gets the response he wanted from his centre pairing of Tom Trbojevic and Jack Wighton in their Game II and III wins.

Brad Fittler has stepped down as Origin coach. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

ALL IS FORGIVEN

Game III, 2019 ANZ Stadium

Blues win 26-20

For almost his entire career, Mitch Pearce was the whipping boy for the Blues’ losing run against Queensland from 2006 to 2017. So when Nathan Cleary went down injured, the likes of Wade Graham, Jack Wighton, Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker were in the mix for the decider. “A lot of people are nervous about what Mitchell brings with him, but all I’ve seen at Newcastle is a bloke that’s really focused,” said Fittler, who went with Pearce. The troubled half was instrumental in the team’s last-second victory and series win, banishing his demons.

PAPY DON’T PREACH

Game III, 2020

Blues lose 20-14

Hindsight is always 20-20 – which is also the year NSW lost the unloseable series. And a big part of the blame came down to Ryan Papenhuyzen being omitted in Game III, with Brad Fittler opting for a four-forward bench. The decision backfired horribly, with captain James Tedesco getting knocked out inside the first 20 minutes. “There wouldn’t have been a better replacement than Ryan Papenhuyzen, but who’s to know that your fullback’s going to get injured,” Blues selector Greg Alexander said.

THE JOSH AND JAKE SHOW

Game I, 2022 Accor Stadium

Blues lose 16-10

Concerned with Queensland’s height advantage on the wing, Fittler sensationally overlooked Josh Addo-Carr, in favour of the taller Daniel Tupou, and he also snubbed Jake Trbojevic. Addo-Carr later in the year reaffirms his reputation as one of the game’s elite wingers with an impressive World Cup for Australia. “He was playing better in November than he was in March,” Fittler said. At least Fittler recalled Jake Trbojevic for Game II, which the Blues won in Perth.

OVER AND OUT

Game III, 2022 Suncorp Stadium

Blues lose 22-12

The stunning omission of Game I prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard over firstly Jordan McLean, then Jacob Saifiti was mind-boggling. As was the non-selection of Jack Wighton, who sat out Game II because of Covid. His aggression was sorely missed in the decider. There were suggestions Campbell-Gillard missed out because of a falling out with his ex-teammates at Penrith. “Reagan is a really good front-rower, but Jordan was on our extended bench for a reason when Payne (Haas) wasn’t available,” Fittler said.

TPJ’S KNOCKOUT CALL

Game I, 2023 Adelaide Oval

Blues lose 26-18

The Blues’ dearth of front row stocks was laid bare by the shock selection of the fiery Tevita Pangai Junior, who barely made an impact in his 29 minutes.

Fittler will also be remembered for picking another debutant in Nicho Hynes, who was brought on in the centres and missed a decisive tackle on Cameron Munster that all but ended any hopes of a comeback.

Hynes was overlooked for game two, while Pangai Junior was not only axed, but left the game for good at the end of the season to take up boxing.

Originally published as Brad Fittler steps down: Freddy’s biggest calls as NSW Blues State of Origin coach