Queensland great savages critics of Blues coach Brad Fittler

Critics of NSW coach Brad Fittler “should be embarrassed” after his selection gambles paid off in Origin three, according to a Queensland great.

Bradman Best of the Blues celebrates after scoring a try during Game 3 of the 2023 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Brad Fittler came into game three of this year’s State of Origin series essentially a dead coach walking after losing the opening two matches to Queensland.

Still, “Freddy” boldly rolled the dice with some of his Blues selections for the series finale, leading to more criticism in some quarters, particularly the decision to hand 21-year-old Bradman Best his first NSW jumper.

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Yet Fittler was ultimately vindicated after orchestrating the Blues’ face-saving 24-10 victory in Sydney that may have also rescued his Origin coaching career.

That led Queensland great Paul Vautin to not only praise Fittler, but also offer some choice words to those critics.

“Full kudos to Brad Fittler, who picked Bradman Best, it was an outstanding performance,” Vautin said during Channel 9’s coverage.

Bradman Best scored two tries on debut. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

“Well done Bradley. He copped a bit of criticism but he had to wear that and all those journalists should be embarrassed.”

Best and the recalled Cody Walker, who was named man of the match on his return to Origin, were among the key weapons as the Blues avoided a first series whitewash since 2010.

Knights youngster Best wasn’t ready for the Origin arena, according to some circles, but overcame some early nerves to dominate in a stunning two-try debut.

In the build up to the game, Best also revealed his hatred for Queensland growing up, but that showed his parents he was ready for this stage.

Paul "Fatty" Vautin was a surprise defender of Brad Fittler and his selection calls for game three in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell

“He’s usually pretty quiet, so I knew he was fired up and ready to go when he was talking the talk,” Best’s mother, Tobi, told Nine after game three.

“He caused a bit of a ruckus (with his pre-match comments), but he backed it up. It’s not like him to open his mouth before he (plays),” his father Roger added.

Best’s mother had always felt her son was destined for high honours.

“I knew from a young age that he would be special,” she said.

“I knew that when he got his opportunity he would nail it because he’s dreamt about this moment for a long time.

Your Origin III Telstra Tracker Top Performer, Bradman Best 🔵 pic.twitter.com/rGNpphvhoC

— NRL (@NRL) July 13, 2023

“He’s worked really hard for it and he was made for it.”

Fittler wasn’t about to revel in his victory in this dead rubber after a number of team and tactical decisions didn’t go his way in the opening two games.

But he did reveal he has strategies in place for when he finds himself the target of critics.

“I put a lot of strategies in my life just to deal with that if it comes up. I could handle that,” he told Nine.

“It’s interesting over the last month or so or even longer, my family and watching them, they even had strategies in their life put in place to deal with so much criticism and so many people talking about you.”