Freddy set to help Blues

[Gee_Up]

By Steve Mascord
January 10, 2008
FORMER Australia skipper Brad Fittler is set to be the latest addition to the all-star cast New South Wales coach Craig Bellamy is assembling in an effort to wrestle back State of Origin supremacy from Queensland.

Bellamy has already co-opted former Blues skipper Andrew Johns as an assistant coach and prop Steve Roach as a co-manager as he attempts to end Queensland's two-year dominance of the series.

"There is nothing official but Craig did toss it up," Fittler, the Sydney Roosters coach, said. "It all depends on my commitments but if there's anything I can do then I'd love to help out."

But ex-NSW captain Fittler said he would not have time to be in camp with the Blues on a day-to-day basis.

"This is my first (full) year as Roosters coach, so obviously that's going to be my priority," he said.

Meanwhile, NRL officials have left the door ajar for action against New Zealand star David Faiumu after he was charged with assault.

The Cowboys hooker has been charged with occasioning grievous bodily harm in an incident in Rockhampton late last year.

You gotta laugh. While bringing into the fold former NSW players is a sound idea. It's obvious already the FlexiCap Rorters who tagged Sticky Ricky a Super Coach very quickly, are doing the same to Freddy already.. when will they learn?

 

[Azkatro]

Craig Bellamy's been here reading my posts

 

[Gee_Up]

it would help more if they asked Freddy to throw on the no.6 jersey, we'd be right then.. heaven help us if Anasta is put there again.

 

[perverse]

it would help more if they asked Freddy to throw on the no.6 jersey, we'd be right then.. heaven help us if Anasta is put there again.

it should be carney or mullen by origin time.

 

[NthKnight]

Bird at 5/8
Carney/Mullen/Soward wearing the 7

 

[Gee_Up]

it should be carney or mullen by origin time.

On that subject I'd be throwing Bird as the no.6 with O'Donnell coming back from injury and being a certainty as a backrower. That way we can keep Gallen.

Mullen and Carney need another year I reckon but will push for the halfback spot anyway wouldn't they?

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I'd be curious to see Carney and Mullen together but maybe just a bit too much inexprience there. Bias would see me slot Carney into the 6 with a more experienced halfback.

 

[Monk]

lol, wat if they try to put orford at no7...
bird will be 6 no doubt...
so i got my money on kimmorly or orford at 7...
unless sum youngster puts in a great effort b4....

 

[sretsoor]

Despite what you believe Gee-Up, Freddy, being the most capped Blues player in Origin history would be very influentual and inspirational to the players selected just by being in the camp offering advice etc, same too with Andrew Johns. I would think Craig Bellamy is aware of this thus why both have been recruited. You're hatred of the Roosters just make you look stupid with those comments.

 

[parramaniac2516]

I was fine with Orford getting a go at Origin until he played in the 2007 grand final.

 

[perverse]

On that subject I'd be throwing Bird as the no.6 with O'Donnell coming back from injury and being a certainty as a backrower. That way we can keep Gallen.

Mullen and Carney need another year I reckon but will push for the halfback spot anyway wouldn't they?

actually i'm quite certain they are both natural 5/8's. mullen certainly is, and will likely play 5/8 for the knights from now on to make way for luke walsh or scott dureau (although both their defensive games are questionable at best).

carney, to the best of my knowledge, is also a 5/8 forced to play in the halves through lack of halfback options at canberra. i daresay that too will change this year.

having said all of this i wouldn't rule out seeing a mullen/carney combo at origin. i really think these 2 kids are going to step up a few gears.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

Wouldn't surprise me if Craig Wing is looked at for the NSW half-backs role if
his early form is good with the Bunnies.

 

[perverse]

Wouldn't surprise me if Craig Wing is looked at for the NSW half-backs role if
his early form is good with the Bunnies.

good point. and tbh if wings early form is good enough to get him the spot then a wing/mullen or wing/carney combo wouldn't be the worst we could do.

still like wing off the bench though tbh. regardless.. there are a lot of "if"'s in all of this.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

carney, to the best of my knowledge, is also a 5/8 forced to play in the halves through lack of halfback options at canberra. i daresay that too will change this year.

Carney started off as a halfback because Jason Smith was our 5/8 but after Smith retired Carney was moved to 5/8 to partner Dobson in the No.7. He played a few games in the 7 during the year but only when Campese was brought into the side.
I think Carney is much better in the 6 because it gives him a better oppertunity to attack the line which he's very good at.

 

[perverse]

Carney started off as a halfback because Jason Smith was our 5/8 but after Smith retired Carney was moved to 5/8 to partner Dobson in the No.7. He played a few games in the 7 during the year but only when Campese was brought into the side.
I think Carney is much better in the 6 because it gives him a better oppertunity to attack the line which he's very good at.

what about his junior footy?

 

[Qld-Sharkie]

If Freddy is apart of the NSW coaching team does this mean Gus Gould has joined too????

 

[Gee_Up]

Despite what you believe Gee-Up, Freddy, being the most capped Blues player in Origin history would be very influentual and inspirational to the players selected just by being in the camp offering advice etc, same too with Andrew Johns. I would think Craig Bellamy is aware of this thus why both have been recruited. You're hatred of the Roosters just make you look stupid with those comments.

You need to read. I stated in the opening post I agree with the idea. I also stated it would be more beneficial to have Fittler playing instead of seeing Anasta the proven failure at SOO given another chance.

I also highlight how when Ricky Stuart took over at the Roosters, the club, it's fans, Gould and Politis all praised him as a Super Coach.. Fittler is already considered a saviour by the CEO who claims they'll have a premiership within 2 seasons, maybe if he keeps buying 2 Australian rep players off contract each season. Any favourable result will have nothing to do with Freddy Fingers coaching then.

 

[Gee_Up]

Wouldn't surprise me if Craig Wing is looked at for the NSW half-backs role if
his early form is good with the Bunnies.

I think Wing has been unlucky not getting a utility jersey for NSW for sometime while frauds and proven failures like Anasta are given so many chances.

Still.. if Farah can't get a jersey the NSW team is obviously not picked on form.

 

[NthKnight]

I think Wing has been unlucky not getting a utility jersey for NSW for sometime while frauds and proven failures like Anasta are given so many chances.

Still.. if Farah can't get a jersey the NSW team is obviously not picked on form.

Barring injury or an unlikely massive form reversal, Gidley will get the bench utility roll and deservidly so. His form in 07 justified his selection 1000 fold.

Wing is well behind both Gidley and Farrar in the line for a Blues jersey

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I think last years failure and a new coach will see a shake-up of the previous squad and so it should. There's a few "regulars" who need to earn their spot.