Fittler calls on former Blues to spark team
BRAD Fittler is poised to add Greg Alexander, Danny Buderus and Andrew Johns to his Blues’ brains trust as part of major overhaul ahead of next year’s State of Origin series.
Fittler has only been the NSW coach for a week, but has already turned his attention to the 2018 campaign. His first task will be settling on his coaching and advisory staff and it’s understood he has already sounded out some of the state’s biggest names for assistance.
Fittler has already stated his intention to lean on NSW’s most experienced coach, Phil Gould, although it’s likely Gould will be used in an unofficial capacity. However, it is expected some of the greatest players ever to wear the sky blue will be in his coaching box for the opening game against Queensland at the MCGnext June.
The man dubbed ‘‘Freddy’’ wants Alexander, Buderus and Johns to be involved in his campaign. The quartet would bring the combined experience of 82 Origins and 1117 NRL games to the roles, which are yet to be ratified. The NSWRL board will need to sign off on the appointments, but it is expected it will rubber-stamp Fittler’s choices.
The development appears to end Peter Sterling’s brief association withNSW as a mentor. The Parramatta legend was brought into the fray as chief advisor to previous coach Laurie Daley after Bob Fulton stepped down last year. However, the Blues will take a fresh approach in a quest to end the Maroons’ dominance of the interstate arena.
Fittler has made no secret of his desire to utilise Johns. The pair are close friends, former team-mates and are part of the Nine Network’s coverage of rugby league.
Buderus is a formerNSW skipper who has been grooming the state’s best young talent as the Blues’ under-20s mentor. The long-time Newcastle hooker also coached his former club for a short period.
Alexander also brings star power to the Blues. He has remained involved in the game as a commentator and Penrith board member, occasionally helping Panthers coach Anthony Griffin with specialist halves tuition.
There are likely to be new faces in the playing ranks as well.
Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, Tom Trbojevic and Nick Cotric will be among the new brigade pressing for an Origin debut.
However, the task will be a difficult one while Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater are available for the Maroons.
‘‘That’s not to say they’ll all be there either,’’ Fittler said.
‘‘If you look at the Australian side at the moment and their forward pack, a lot of them are NSW players: [David] Klemmer, [Aaron] Woods, [Wade] Graham, [Boyd] Cordner, [Tyson] Frizell, [Jake] Trbojevic did a great job where he was there.
‘‘All of a sudden there are other parts of our game if we’re better at, we’ll give our halves a better opportunity.
‘‘Whoever the halves are, that’s the shame [for us] with what they’ve done.
‘‘Their attention to details has been brilliant, Queensland.’’