Value of goal kickers on Origin stage

Maloney’s goal kicking record in nine Origin games since 2013 is 15 from 19 attempts, or 79 per cent. That’s 14 from 17 in terms of conversions and one from two penalty kicks. He also missed a critical goal in the previous Origin series.

Queensland’s goal kicking record during the same period in 15 games is 43 goals from 57 attempts, or 75 per cent. Thirty one of those have been successful conversions from 43 attempts (72 per cent), while 12 of 14 penalty attempts, or 86 per cent, have been successful.

But Queensland, with the retirement of Cameron Smith and Thurston from rep football, no longer have a sharp-shooter, particularly when deciding whether to take a kick at goal from a penalty.

Smith’s retirement won’t diminish the importance Freddy places on a goal kicker for the Blues, but the choice may rest on other factors, such as Maloney’s defence. Maloney has been warned about missed tackles, and has annoyed some of the Blues by doing little to alleviate their concerns.

Alternative kickers for NSW include Maloney’s Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary and Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses.

Cleary’s calm nature and youth (he’s just 20 years of age) make him a long-termNSW proposition. He has one of those granite-like faces, akin to the visages of the four US presidents carved on Mount Rushmore.

If Cleary does lead the Blues to a decade of victories, you can expect theNSW Rugby League to shape his head on a cliff face in the Blue Mountains, where he will have a good view of his club, Penrith.

Once Freddy has decided on a goal-kicking half, he will look to the best complement for him in the No 6 or No 7 jumper, meaning a half who can kick goals and organise will be paired with a running five-eighth, such as the Roosters’ Luke Keary.

Smith’s retirement from representative football will also reinforce Freddy’s preference for two hookers. Queensland’s weakness is in the middle and two hookers continually challenging out-of-form or injured Queensland forwards at the ruck will be an asset.

Fittler has, as one of his assistants, Danny Buderus, who is the best hookerNSW has produced in the past 20 years and he will time the entry of Cameron McInnes and Damien Cook into the match.

Much depends on how the referees adjudicate the game. If their search for the perfect ruck continues, they will be blowing the whistle a lot in Origin, giving the Maroon forwards plenty of time to rest. Hopefully, while NSW kick goals.