3 minute read
Brad Fittler ushered in a new era of NSW players the last time State of Origin was at the MCG and of 11 debutants, only two remain in 2024.
WHERE FREDDY'S NEW GENERATION OF 2018 BLUES ARE NOW
* James Tedesco: Played every Origin under Fittler and became his captain in 2020. Axed by Michael Maguire for game one this year, brought back through injury, and then left out again.
* Josh Addo-Carr (debut): A mainstay as NSW won three series in the first four years under Fittler before being dropped in 2022. Brought back last year, before missing out in 2024.
* Tom Trbojevic (debut): Thrived under Fittler as a roaming centre. Remains a part of NSW's first-choice team when fit, but a hamstring injury has ruled him out this year.
* Latrell Mitchell (debut): Played all three games in 2018 as NSW won the series, but was controversially dropped after Origin I in 2019. Close to NSW's best on return in 2021, but Wednesday night will mark his first Origin since then.
* James Roberts (debut): Played in all three games in 2018, but left Brisbane part way through the next season and was never the same again. Now playing for Northern United in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.
* James Maloney: NSW's equal-most experienced player at the time with nine games under his belt. Helped guide Nathan Cleary into Origin, before leaving the NRL in 2019. Now an assistant coach at North Queensland after a brief stint in France.
* Nathan Cleary (debut): NSW's first-choice halfback ever since his first game at the MCG. Has gone from solid organiser to best No.7 in the NRL in that time, with only injury keeping him out of this year.
* David Klemmer: Like Maloney, had nine Origins under his belt before Fittler took charge. Played in all of 2018, but was dropped for game three in 2019 before a late injury earned him a recall. Never played for NSW again.
* Damien Cook (debut): One of Fittler's longest-serving players after starring in his first Origin at the MCG. Held the No.9 jersey until the start of 2023, and was picked in every game but one during Fittler's reign. Left out this year.
* Reagan Campbell-Gillard (debut): Was part of a winning Blues side at the MCG but a shattered jaw ended his series. Has only played two Origins since, and was again dropped for game one this year.
* Boyd Cordner: Was in his second series as captain when Fittler took over. Lifted the shield twice, before a concussion in the first game of the 2020 series ended his career. Still in the Blues set up.
* Tyson Frizell: Was a regular during Fittler's first three series in charge, before an ankle injury ruled him out of the start of the 2021 series. Didn't regain his spot until last year, but was dropped for Origin III of 2023.
* Jack de Belin (debut): A key part of NSW's 2018 series win before missing two-and-a-half years of NRL under the no-fault stand-down policy while fighting sexual assault charges. Has spoken about wanting a NSW recall since returning.
* Paul Vaughan (debut): One of the NRL's best forwards when picked in 2018 and 2019 by Fittler, before things started going awry. Was dropped in 2020 after going off the boil at St George Illawarra, and is now in the Super League.
* Jake Trbojevic: Had only played one series when Fittler took over, but became a regular. Injury ruined his 2021 series, and was controversially overlooked for game one in 2022. Returned next game, and is now captain under Michael Maguire.
* Angus Crichton (debut): One of only two 2018 debutants still in the NSW team, alongside Latrell Mitchell. Has been in and out of the team through form and a suspension, but remains one of the best second-rowers in the NRL.
* Tyrone Peachey (debut): Was the Blues utility for all of 2018, playing 37 minutes in total but giving Fittler the versatility he would later crave. Never featured in Origin discussions again after leaving Penrith that year.
