Brad Fittler set to keep Origin job on two conditions

Brad Fittler looks set to survive the axe as NSW Origin coach, but it might come with an unprecedented change in his backroom staff when the Blues start preparing for next year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 12: Maroons coach Billy Slater and Blues coach Brad Fittler embrace after game three of the State of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on July 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Brad Fittler is poised to survive the axe and remain head coach of NSW after presenting for over an hour to the NSWRL board on Friday.

However, his reinstatement comes with two caveats.

Final approval for the Blues State of Origin coach to remain in charge next year hinges on Fittler accepting a 12-month contract-only and a final presentation next month on who he intends to use on his support staff.

Additional coaching nous with the likes of Michael Ennis or Phil Gould, or Ivan Cleary – who Fittler turned to by adding him to his coaches box in game three – could become options for Fittler.

Ivan Cleary was in the box for game three of the 2023 series. Picture FATIMA KDOUH,

NSW series-winning coach Ricky Stuart is the only other contender for the Origin post, should Fittler fail to be rubber-stamped as the Blues coach for 2024.

Champion Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has already ruled himself out.

Last Friday’s board meeting, where Fittler presented a detailed review of the Blues deflating 2-1 series loss to Queensland, was the first time the second-most capped NSW coach of all-time had suggested his desire to continue coaching NSW.

It was after game three that Fittler acknowledged that had the Blues not avoided a 3-0 nil clean sweep by winning the game three dead rubber 24-10 over the Maroons, he would most likely be gone.

He added that he needed time to think about whether he would put his hand up for the job in 2024.

Fittler’s reappointment has come with some conditions. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

That came on Friday.

Providing reason and detailed responses, Fittler’s presentation is believed to have impressed members of the NSWRL board and CEO David Trodden.

However, Fittler would know that changes to his camp and preparation need to be made after NSW came under heavy fire from clubs throughout the 2023 series.

South Sydney, who questioned the training loads and preparation of their elite stars, took the extraordinary step of sending their team physiotherapist Eddie Farah into camp to oversee the output of Rabbitohs stars Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell.

Fittler is expected to return next month to offer the board his 2024 master plan.

The NSW coach came under immense criticism for a number of selections during the Blues series defeat.

His decision to pick Dally M medal winner Nicho Hynes on the bench in Origin I, before using him late in the game at right-centre, drew widespread condemnation from Blues fans.

So too did moving hooker Damien Cook to the centres for 77-minutes after Tom Trbojevic went down with injury in the series-deciding game two loss.

The Blues then made seven changes from the Origin II side with Tom Trbojevic, Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Payne Haas, Tyson Frizell, Hudson Young, and Stefano Utoikamanu all replaced by Bradman Best, Cody Walker, Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jacob Saifiti, and Clint

Gutherson called in for game three.

Jake Trbojevic and Brad Fittler after their win in the final game of the series. Picture: NRL Photos

It was the most changes to a Blues side outside of game one since 2019 and the most in a game three since 2010

After coaching his 18th Origin in game three, Fittler is the second most capped NSW coach of all-time behind Gould (24).

Former NSW Origin centre Ryan Girdler said the Blues performance in Origin III was an indication that Fittler still had what it takes to lead the best players in the game.

“At the end of the series, he did look a little exhausted,’’ Girdler said on Triple M.

“But his connection with the playing group was obviously there because of the result and how they responded in game three.

“If he’s got the energy to go again, I think he’s the man for the job, absolutely.’’

Originally published as Brad Fittler set to keep Origin job on two conditions