State of Origin lesson Brad Fittler should have learned on Latrell Mitchell

Instead of sticking solid, or even handing out ultimatums, NSW coach Brad Fittler threw Latrell Mitchell and three other players under the bus. One after the other, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.

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Darren Lockyer owns one of Queensland’s great Origin stories.

It goes back to 2006 after Brett Finch broke Queenslanders’ hearts with the winning field goal for NSW in the series opener.

At the time the Maroons were coming off three straight series defeats — and, like NSW right now, searching for answers.

But instead of throwing players under the bus, then new coach Mal Meninga came up with a masterstroke.

Meninga hauled in Lockyer along with Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price and told them straight, if things didn’t turn around in game two they’d be gone.

Darren Lockyer inspires Queensland to victory in 2006.

It came to mind after the fallout that followed Brad Fittler’s team announcement for game two.

Instead of sticking solid, or even handing out ultimatums, Fittler threw four players under the bus. One after the other.

Josh Morris, Angus Crichton, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell have every reason to wonder why.

Morris certainly didn’t let anyone down, because he went out and played exactly how Josh Morris does. Doing exactly what Fittler picked him to do.

And given Morris was one of the Blues’ best, it made no sense to axe him for Tom Trbojevic, who could have just as easily returned on the right wing in place of the injured Nick Cotric.

After all, that is where Trbojevic was one of the standouts for NSW last year.

Doesn’t Latrell Mitchell’s talent deserve NSW’s loyalty? Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

And everyone knew Mitchell was going through some tough times leading into Origin I. But it was still Fittler’s call to pick him.

Yes, he had an off night. But would Queensland have dumped Greg Inglis after a similar performance, or given him chance to redeem himself?

Especially after what Mitchell produced for the Blues last year?

Instead in comes Jack Wighton, a fullback turned five-eighth who has played two games at centre in seven years.

It is not Wighton’s fault he is now in this position. But you can bet it will be Wighton’s fault, judging by the fallout from Origin I, if things go pear-shaped in Perth.

Jack Wighton has been picked out of position for NSW. Image: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Any NRL coach will tell you centre is the toughest position to defend because of the split-second decisions going on around them.

Now we have two centres who don’t play that position on a weekly basis.

It was also Fittler who said after the Suncorp loss that he expected the players to go back and perform for their clubs.

Yet Fittler said this knowing Mitchell would be returning home to Taree with family, and not playing for the Roosters the following round.

So last week all the talk was Mitchell needed a big game against Canterbury to guarantee selection.

He went out and scored two tries and while it was not Latrell at his rampaging best, he was certainly starting to show some positive signs.

But what chance did he really have when everyone at the SCG was aware of the NSW team’s make-up before the full-time hooter even sounded, except of course the players?

Angus Crichton’s axing left a sour taste in the mouth. Image: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

It was disgraceful how Crichton found out about his dumping while doing a live radio interview.

Again, everyone knew Crichton was not in the best form going into game one — but, again, Fittler still picked him.

So why dump him, without so much as the courtesy of telling him before finding out via a journalist?

Boyd Cordner also found out about Mitchell’s axing during a live interview and had to drop the news in the dressing sheds.

The coach’s ‘joke’ left Cody Walker in no doubts. Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

NSW Rugby League boss Dave Trodden attempted to downplay the drama, explaining it was “not ideal”.

You’re damn right it wasn’t ideal. It was amateur hour at its bumbling worst.

Trodden then qualified his excuse saying it was “a product of the particular circumstances with the Roosters playing in the last game of the round”.

I understand there was a commitment to announce the team on Channel 9 at 6pm.

But surely someone could have organised to put the announcement back half an hour, so they could first inform the players. Especially knowing, as we do now, that selection didn’t come down to what happened in that match.

Nathan Cleary was handed another chance to prove himself at Origin level. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

In respect to Walker, everyone anticipated it was always going to take him time to settle in his debut Origin, especially given the ad-lib way he plays on top of the fact he was partnered with young Nathan Cleary.

But while Cleary was afforded loyalty, Walker wasn’t.

Again, it smacks of double standards.

Walker then had to suffer the indignity of hearing Fittler joke about how James Maloney won his spot only because Mitchell Pearce was ruled out through injury, and Braith Anasta (long retired) was unavailable.

I’m betting Walker didn’t find it that funny, though Queensland probably did.

So back to Lockyer’s story.

It’s legend how Lockyer went out in game two in 2006 and won man of the match in Queensland’s thumping 30-6 victory.

Then Lockyer again stole the show in the series decider, swooping on that wayward Brett Hodgson pass to lead the Maroons to a 16-14 victory and set in motion the greatest dynasty in Origin history.

Lockyer later said about the challenge Meninga put to him: “I just sort of thought, ‘what do I need to do here?’ I can’t just keep saying to myself, ‘hopefully I play better in game two’. I need to do something different. So I just focused on my preparation on a daily basis.”

I can’t help but wonder if that could have been young Mitchell this time round.

Brad Fittler has rung the changes to NSW. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

Right now, everyone seems to have an opinion on Mitchell’s career, but we should not forget he is just 22 and going through some serious life adjustments.

But there is no denying he is also a very special rugby league talent, the type that could help make NSW great again.

And isn’t it a coach’s job to find a way to bring the best out of his players?

Fittler is a good man who has done plenty of great things in the game over many years, and he might prove us wrong come Sunday night.

But after what’s gone on these last few days, I just can’t see how Fittler can expect his players, let alone NSW fans, to believe in this plan. Especially when it is painfully obvious the coach didn’t believe from the start.