James Maloney has the experience NSW desperately need for Origin II
NSW’s defeat in game one wasn’t the fault of Nathan Cleary or Cody Walker. What the Blues needed was a player with the experience and smarts to thrive in the cauldron of Origin football, writes ANTHONY GRIFFIN.
Jimmy Maloney got a text from Brad Fittler before the NSW side was announced for the Origin opener: “Look, mate, we’re gonna go with Cody. Thanks so much for last year, I’ll always be grateful.”
This week’s message will probably read something like: “Jimmy, please disregard all previous correspondence — I have an extremely important job for you and would love for you to help us in Perth next week if your free.”
Jimmy’s reply, “Yeah, no worries mate, leave it with me and I’ll check with the missus. We were going to go up the coast on the week off but seeing you’re in a spot of bother I’m pretty sure we can sought something out.”
I wrote in a column on May 23, why it was important for the Blues to stick solid with Maloney. Within one game of winning only their second series in 13 years, NSW are now staring down the barrel of losing another one.
It was supposed to be a new beginning. Queensland had lost the last remanence of their all-conquering dominance with the retirements of Inglis and Slater.
The Blues responded by leaving out their chief playmaker who had steered a new-look side to victory in 2018.
LISTEN! Freddie Fittler’s Blues are feeling the pinch after a loss in Origin 1 and Matty, Finchy and Kenty give their take on what needs to happen next plus some classic Mario Fenech tales. Download Australia’s No.1 podcast.
Nathan Cleary said in an interview earlier this week: “Jimmy is a big game player — he always plays well when the pressure is on.”
He also went on to explain that he makes everyone else’s job easier.
It was always going to be a big ask for Cleary and Cody Walker in game one. The three-game rookie Origin halfback was suddenly paired with a 29-year-old Blues debutant — against a desperate QLD side — in front of 50,000 screaming fans — at Suncorp Stadium.
So, when Boyd Cordner was suddenly getting thrown the ball on the last play in the middle of a second-half Origin “war”, it would have sent a sinking feeling through the Blues hierarchy.
Maloney is a must for NSW in Origin II. Cleary needs him and the Blues need him.
Origin football is a grind — high completion rates, brutal defence and low penalty counts. The Maroons gave NSW a lesson in game one.
Maloney thrives in this type of environment. He has won multiple finals, grand finals and Origins.
It wasn’t Cleary or Walker’s fault last Wednesday. They were experiencing something for the first time. Cleary played in a dead rubber at Suncorp last year and Walker was playing his first game. They don’t know what they don’t know.
Maloney gets it, he understands the importance of tough sets with the ball, followed by precisely placed kicks, backed up with gut busting kick chase, set after set. Jimmy also understands defence.
You have to be intelligent to be a good defender. He reads attacking shapes better than anyone and can talk his edge into them. This will be an enormous help to Boyd Cordner and Latrell Mitchell. While talking about Mitchell, you can bet he will get a lot more early ball from Maloney in Perth.
The other area of concern for NSW is the loss of David Klemmer. He was easily the Blues’ best forward in the series opener and his aggression will be sorely missed. Queensland bashed the NSW forwards and will be looking to repeat the dose.
Matt Lodge looks an ideal replacement and the type of rugged prop forward that will love the challenge Origin brings. Reagan Campbell-Gilliard could also be used in a middle forward rotation from the bench. Cameron Murray can play edge if required which would see Angus Crichton drop out of the 17.
Game two will feel different for both teams, being the first Origin game played in Perth. Queensland will be favourites and looking to wrap up yet another series before heading to Sydney. NSW are now suddenly under pressure and another loss would be three in a row. Jimmy will have to postpone that family holiday.
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.