Brad Fittler’s claims of media agenda with NSW selections slammed amid harsh Origin reality

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has been whacked after outlandish suggestions of a media driver agenda regarding his Origin selections.

Brad Fittler and Nicho Hynes.

Brad Fittler has been criticised over his suggestions of a media driven agenda regarding NSW selections in light of the storm surrounding Nicho Hynes and Josh Addo-Carr in the last two series.

Fittler believes there has been an unnecessary focus on selections like Addo-Carr’s omission last year and he has seen history repeat itself with Hynes in 2023.

“Clearly Freddy thinks there is an agenda against him and the NSW team from the media,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.

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“How do we see that?”

Paul Crawley is concerned Fittler’s focus on media questioning selections is misguided and warned the Blues coach that it comes with the territory of being an Origin coach, especially when you lose.

“I’ll tell you what’s a concern is that the NSW coach has got the time on his hands to sit down and google how many times a player is mentioned in a story,” Crawley said.

“He speaks about the agenda with Nicho Hynes and the media trying to drive a wedge between him and Nicho.

“Matty Johns has spoken about this. Is he a member of the media or is he a former player?

“You speak to everyone who speaks about Nicho and I think most people are not trying to drive a wedge between Freddy and Nicho.

Blues Coach Brad Fittler is frustrated with the media.

“They are speaking about the fact that they think the way Nicho has been treated is unjust and unfair. That’s the situation. That’s not driving an agenda. That’s the reality.

“You also can’t deny that NSW have lost three of the last four series. What are you supposed to do? Paint rainbows?”

Dave Riccio agreed that the only reason Hynes has been such a big story is because he is the best player in the game and was picked out of position for game one before being totally discarded for the rest of the series.

“Spot on, the Nicho Hynes situation personally I have no agenda whatsoever, I’m merely questioning the process of Nicho Hynes being named on the bench for game one and he received 11 minutes at right centre,” Riccio said.

“That’s the debate. Nicho should never have been there on the bench. He should either have been a starting half or not in the team at all.

“That leads to this point in time where there is a halves spot available and he is overlooked again.

Nicho Hynes was picked out of position for game one then discarded.

“The last time I checked he is the reigning Dally M player of the year.”

Gorden Tallis questioned if the appearance of an agenda is due to the amount of NSW journalists in the media.

“Is it just the case there is one Queensland journalist in Brent Read,” Tallis asked.

“Is it because everyone is from NSW that you are passionate about the State. Are you sure that’s not the case?”

However, Crawley has no doubt Billy Slater would be in the same boat if the roles were reversed.

“I’m certain that if the boot was on the other foot the blowtorch would be applied to Queensland because that is State of Origin,” Crawley said.

Anasta pointed out that opinions from all walks of rugby league on Origin team selections were nothing knew and it will continue as long as the game is played.

Anasta is concerned Fittler is letting the wrong things distract him from coaching the team.

“Ex-players will always have their opinion, fans will always have their opinion and the media will always have their opinion,” Anasta said.

Josh Addo-Carr was dropped for the 2022 series sparking outrage.

“From the start to the end of the game of rugby league and it is going to continue forever.

“My concern is as coach why are you letting this affect you? Why are you even letting the playing group be affected by it? Why are you addressing this in the media?

“If you are strong and confident in the team that you have and you know exactly what you want and why you want it, you block out the noise.

“I learnt to block out the noise. If I worried about what everyone said about me for the last 15 years I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.

“It is something if you are a professional athlete or a high-profile position or if you are a player or even if you work in the media you have got to block it out.

“Because then you are going to lose focus on what the job at hand is and it is going to become a distraction for not only you but for your players.

“I love Freddy and he is a good mate of mine, but I just see it as focusing on the negative too much when you should be focusing on other things.”

Brad Fittler’s focus has been questioned.

Riccio believes Hynes has moved on and it is time Fittler did, even if the media choose to still bring up his selection, which is their job.

“When you actually listen to who we are talking about in Nicho Hynes when he was asked about the situation he said, well I don’t expect to be picked,” Riccio said.

“He’s moved on. He is fine with it.”

Anasta agreed that Hynes has moved on and backed him to return to the Origin arena, while he urged Fittler to place his energy elsewhere as he fights for his future as Blues coach.

“He (Hynes) doesn’t have an issue with it and I’m sure Nicho will be back there,” Anasta said.

“I just don’t think it is a personal thing and I don’t think there is an agenda there against Nicho and Brad.

“I don’t think anyone is trying to cause any friction there. It is just everyone is entitled to have their opinion on why he either should be there or he shouldn’t be there.

“That’s going to continue, so if you are head coach you have got to get used to it.”

Originally published as Brad Fittler’s claims of media agenda with NSW selections slammed amid harsh Origin reality