State of Origin: Dean Young added to Laurie Daley’s NSW Blues coaching staff

A former State of Origin and NRL premiership-winning forward will join the powerful NSW coaching staff amid a betting shock that will stun Blues fans.

Former State of Origin and premiership-winning forward Dean Young will join the powerful NSW coaching staff amid a betting shock that will stun Blues fans.

Young’s addition comes as this masthead can reveal Laurie Daley’s appointment as Blues’ head coach was unanimous among the NSWRL’s seven-member board.

In a shock twist, despite NSW winning this year’s series, the Blues will start underdogs for game one next season for the first time in ten years.

The TAB has released its Origin I betting market with Queensland $1.80 favourites and NSW $2 outsiders. And, remarkably, Queensland hold 95 per cent of the money being wagered on the series winner.

Young was added to the Blues’ coaching set-up on Tuesday afternoon, joining Daley, adviser Craig Bellamy, senior assistant Matt King and assistant Brett White.

A current Dragons assistant coach, Young, 41, played one game for NSW back in 2011 having helped St George Illawarra to a famous grand final win the previous year.

Dean Young (C) will join Laurie Daley’s coaching staff.

The son of legendary prop Craig, Young has replaced this year’s NSW assistant, John Cartwright, who is coaching Hull FC in England. A Tongan assistant coach since 2019, Young is regarded as a head-coach in-waiting.

“This is where you want to be - at the biggest games - and I feel very privileged to be working with the best and most elite players in the game,” Young said.

“I suppose my role will be to make sure all the players are best prepared. I will be doing my best in whatever role Laurie works out for me.

“I have been coaching for a while now and worked with a lot of coaches at the Dragons and Cowboys and every time you rub shoulders with different people with different ideas, you always learn something.

“This is a great opportunity for me as a coach to pick up ideas from all those great people that are involved.”

While NSW are favourites for the three-game series, game one in Brisbane on May 28 is already shaping as a monumental task for Daley.

“It’s straight back into the furnace at the ‘Cauldron’ for Laurie, which he’ll probably love,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.

“He might not be facing Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis again but TAB punters seemingly don’t think this Queensland team will be a pushover for ‘Loz’ and the Blues.

“The big money on Queensland winning the series was obviously taken before Daley’s appointment but the uncertainty around whether the NSW would pick a rookie coach, coupled with the announcement of game one being in Brisbane, has seen Queensland dominate the series winner market with TAB.

Laurie Daley’s assistants have been finalised. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Around 95 per cent of the hold has been with the value on offer for the Maroons so far.”

After several $1000 outlays, TAB trimmed Queensland from $2.25 into $2.15 for the series with NSW pushed out from $1.65 favourites to $1.70. The Blues could even drift out to $1.75 by the end of this week.

NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon added: “After a process to examine the merits of every person who had indicated their interest, it was ultimately a unanimous decision from our seven board members that Laurie was the right pick.

“From my own point of view, Laurie is a Blues legend who understands the incredible pressures in the arena as a player and coach.”

The structures implemented this year by NSW coach Michael Maguire will remain in place, ensuring Daley enjoys a smooth transition into the top job.