NSW coach Brad Fittler reveals James Maloney will be his main kicking man

NSW COACH Brad Fittler has revealed James Maloney will take charge of the main kicking duties for the Blues in Origin I against Queensland on Wednesday.

Sharks' awkward run out James Maloney during NSW State of Origin training at the new NSWRL Centre of Excellence training ground at Homebush. Picture. Phil Hillyard

NSW coach Brad Fittler has revealed James Maloney will take charge of the main kicking duties for the Blues in Origin I against Queensland on Wednesday.

Fittler confirmed his faith in Maloney to control the bulk of the team’s kicking in a video interview on the NSWRL website.

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This will include the goal kicking, kicks in general play, kick-off, touch finders and dropouts.

Fittler narrowed his kicking candidates down to three options — Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell.

Maloney has kicked for the Blues in the past.

In the end, it he went with Maloney’s proven experience on the big stage that has resulted in two premierships and a grand final appearance.

“I went on age and I went and asked Maloney who is going to goal kick and he said, me,” Fittler revealed to the team’s bionic mascot BLUiE.

“So that was it — Jimmy made my mind up for me.

“But it was a big decision, because when we picked the team we were very conscious of goal kicking.

“If you remember last year it was crucial. We missed one from the sideline and they got one, so we need to make sure we get it right.”

Maloney demanded ownsership of the tee.

Fittler, though, conceded it wasn’t an easy decision to decide the kicker for kick offs.

He is seriously considering Mitchell for the role, but admits he is reluctant after the Roosters young gun sent two kick-offs out on the full in last year’s preliminary final loss to the North Queensland.

“I’m a little bit nervous about Latrell kicking off,” he said.

“In the semi-final last year he didn’t have a good moment, but I’ll see where his headspace is there.

“He has very dangerous kicks and he gets a lot of height, so that will give us heaps of time to get down there.

In Maloney and Cleary the Blues boast two excellent kickers.

“We’ll confront that, but we haven’t finalised that decision yet.

“I’d say at this stage, James Maloney will most likely kick off and kick for goal.”

Fittler also confirmed Maloney and Cleary would share the field goal duties.

“Sometimes you don’t know until the moment comes, but it’s normally one of your halves,” he said.

“Both of them have a good temperament, so if they were in that moment they’d get it.

“I feel quite comfortable that we’ve got a couple of sharp shooters there.”

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