Eight players NSW must pick for Origin II and why they definitely can’t

One is devastating but has baggage; another is brilliant but out of form. These are the biggest selection issues NSW must navigate ahead of State of Origin II. VOTE ON EVERY PLAYER

Brad Fittler has a host of selection headaches for the Perth clash.

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There are two types of NSW fan in this world: those who would give Matt Lodge an Origin jersey and those who’d rather … oh, I dunno … contract staph.

Or cheer Queensland.

For many, the jury remains out on which is worse.

What isn’t in doubt, however, is the undeniable split between Blues fans who support the polarising Brisbane enforcer for Origin II — citing his numbers, overhauled lifestyle, even that whole glasshouses thing — and those shouting down his rights to a sky blue jersey now, and in some cases forever.

Truly, there is no middle ground on this one.

Brad Fittler has a host of selection headaches for the Perth clash.

Less than four years on from his infamous New York City rampage, which included a violent home invasion and telling two young women, “This is the night you die”, 24-year-old Lodge could be playing in the code’s blue-riband event. Especially, as NSW prop Dave Klemmer is sidelined indefinitely and Jordan McLean, another contender, is under an injury cloud.

Yet given Lodge’s chequered past, which also includes accusations of domestic assault, not everyone is buying in.

Certainly, though, Fittler believes the 120kg Bronco has served his time. A truth proved by his picking Lodge in an Emerging Blues squad last December, a decision that created what would have been unnecessary headlines were he not really in the frame.

Fittler’s loyalty will be tested with his Game II squad. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

But as for the rest of NSW? We’ve seen mates tossed from pubs so loudly have they debated this issue.

Same deal, albeit for vastly different reasons, those seven other Origin II contenders over whom the state seems split — Mitchell Pearce, Nathan Cleary, James Maloney, Cody Walker, Angus Crichton, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, even Latrell Mitchell — after NSW’s 18-14 loss in Origin I.

Which is why, in the interests of aiding coach Fittler and his Blues brains trust, we’ve found reasons why every one of the above must be picked for Origin II — and why they most definitely can’t.

MATTHEW LODGE

Brisbane Broncos

FOR reasons mentioned above, Lodge looms as the most polarising NSW Origin selection ever.

Undoubtedly, the bloke can play.

The Brisbane enforcer is averaging 143m per game, according to Fox Sports Lab, which is more than any available NSW middle other than Payne Haas. His 50m in post-contact is also second only to fellow Bronco Haas — and superior to the likes of Paul Vaughan, Jordan McLean and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Why Freddy must pick him: Statistically, the best available prop not named Payne Haas.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: The coach has spoken openly about selecting a team all the state can get behind. Which surely rubs out a bloke whose history is littered with drama, right down to representing NSW Under-20s with the word ‘c …’ writ large on his strapping tape.

MITCHELL PEARCE

Newcastle Knights

AT what point, you have to wonder, does Pearcey tell all of NSW to get stuffed? Certainly, no one could blame him.

Not even those now loudly proclaiming the shock, new Dally M leader as the only man capable of saving the Blues from another Origin defeat.

Truly, Pearce as Origin saviour?

The sentence alone drips with all the irony of an Alanis Morissette lyric.

Yet after going seven Origin series without a win, and drawing more haters than a US presidential tweet, a growing band of Blues fans now want recalled the playmaker who, in his past six wins with Newcastle, has scored five tries, orchestrated 10 more, forced eight drop outs and five times earned a Dally M ‘three’.

Why Freddy must pick him: C’mon, he isn’t just the best halfback in the NRL right now, but the best player period. Why would anyone omit the incumbent Dally M leader?

Why Freddy can’t pick him: C’mon, he isn’t just the losingest halfback in NSW history, but the losingest player period. Why would anyone include a loser of seven Origin series?

NATHAN CLEARY

Penrith Panthers

BRAD Fittler promised to give the kid time and so a state cheered.

Understanding that, if NSW Origin is built on anything, it’s the white chalk outlines of disused halves. Fellas like Jarrod Mullen. And Terry Campese.

Throw in, too, the likes of Peter Wallace, Jamie Soward, even Brett Finch.

So when Fittler last year promised a pick ‘n’ stick policy for rising Penrith young gun Nathan Cleary, Blues fans everywhere were hailing it the smartest of decisions.

But, geez, things have gone a tad pear-shaped since.

Despite winning in one series what a host of Blues couldn’t over a decade, Cleary is quickly running out of supporters at Origin level — with the Fox Sports Lab revealing, after four Origin games, he still boasts no tries, no try assists, no line-breaks and no line-break assists.

Worse, the struggling Panther has earned just four try assists in the NRL this year, placing him 14th among starting halfbacks.

Why Freddy must pick him: For too many years, the Blues Origin failures have been built on a growing pile of young halfback carcasses. Put simply, it has to stop.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: Doesn’t score tries. Doesn’t create tries. Put simply, it has to stop.

CODY WALKER

South Sydney Rabbitohs

PRIOR to Origin I, we tipped Walker to be in everything bar the singing of Advance Australia Fair.

Yet instead, early on, the debuting Blues No.6 got shut down offensively, targeted defensively, battled past the break, got replaced, or hooked, whatever, he was gone, then returned, created a try, threatened late, but not enough, and finished the night with a player rating of “five”.

And just like that, Blues fans started calling for his head. Just as all of League Land once did with Queensland great Justin Hodges, who was also hooked midway through a disastrous Origin debut in 2002, yet eventually returned to become one of the Maroons’ greatest.

Why Freddy must pick him: A fortnight ago he was the greatest playmaker not named Cameron Munster or Luke Keary. So what’s changed? Last we checked, this Souths livewire still sits eighth in Dally M polling with 11 tries and as many try assists.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: While Fittler insists he was always going to bring Walker from the field, what does it say that said removal came when the Blues most needed points? Also part of the Blues defensive issues that eventually proved the difference.

JAMES MALONEY

Penrith Panthers

OLD story, this one.

With Jimmy Maloney, the larrikin five-eighth who misses tackles, concedes penalties, annoys coaches, shifts clubs and … well, then goes and wins things. Important things.

Like premierships, Origin series, and more than the occasional TAB ticket.

So exactly where does this ageing Penrith playmaker, now 32, fit into the Origin debate?

Well, that all depends on whether you’re focus is those numbers for missed tackles, penalties conceded and games won in 2019 … or his trophy cabinet.

Indeed, on the same weekend Andrew Johns suggested Maloney’s time at Origin had passed, the Penrith No.6 not only orchestrated three tries against the Roosters, but continued with the strong short-kicking game that has forced 21 dropouts this year — ahead of every NRL player, including Adam Reynolds, who sits second with 16.

Why Freddy must pick him: Few players in the NRL know winning like this bloke. Apart from boasting two premierships, he was also the undeniable key to NSW winning the 2018 Origin series.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: Put simply, Maloney’s time at Origin level has passed. Not our words but those of Andrew Johns, who knows more than a little about such things. Also sits first in the NRL for penalties conceded (18) and second for missed tackles (47).

ANGUS CRICHTON

Sydney Roosters

PRIOR to Origin I, there was plenty of talk suggesting the Roosters backrower had been lucky to hold his place on the NSW bench.

And from there?

Well, Blues fans seem largely split on those ensuing 50 minutes off the pine at Suncorp Stadium — either talking up his 34 tackles in defence, or talking down a lack of impact on the game generally. After starring with South Sydney in 2018, Crichton has failed to reach those same heights since jumping over the back fence to the reigning premiers.

Why Freddy must pick him: Knows the Origin arena and isn’t afraid to rip in, making 34 tackles in Origin I.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: Not the same player he was last year at Souths. Apart from averaging 23m fewer in attack, his line-breaks have also halved.

LATRELL MITCHELL

Sydney Roosters

PHIL Gould reckons Latrell Mitchell can win Origin II for NSW. Just as he says the mercurial Rooster could also likely bring the Blues undone.

Confused?

Well, you aren’t alone — with much of the state seemingly split on whether Mitchell is suddenly off his game, and in need of motivation, or simply the sufferer an off-night at Suncorp Stadium.

Apart from being the Blues’ worst-performed player in Origin I, Gould is now suggesting the 21-year-old could prove “a distraction” in camp — thanks largely to those months of headlines about management splits, Redfern shifts and general unrest.

Those closest to Mitchell, however, insist all is good. Indeed, the centre himself recently told The Daily Telegraph that while said issues were indeed real — revealing “there were days I couldn’t get out of bed” — he insisted things were now settled after signing with new agent Wayde Rushton.

Why Freddy must pick him: Um, he’s among the best players in the world.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: Given his problems off the paddock, no less than the winningest NSW coach ever is labelling Mitchell a potential “distraction” in Blues camp.

REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD

Penrith Panthers

ORIGIN is made for men with moustaches. A truth proved by the likes of Wally Lewis, Brett Kenny, even Barry “The Grasshopper” Gomersall.

Yet after he broke his jaw for a second time shortly before Christmas and then struggled to regain his form, Blues fans seem divided on the idea of RCG bringing the ’tache back in 2019.

Why Freddy must pick him: Boasts a body built for Origin while also regaining the mojo that saw him represent Australia in 2017.

Why Freddy can’t pick him: Despite a solid showing against the Roosters last start, is still averaging just 92m per game. And is in a side sitting 14th, even after three straight wins.

Originally published as Eight players NSW must pick for Origin II and why they definitely can’t