As a Blues supporter it’s hard to get excited for Game 3. But, knowing the Queenslanders are expecting to win 3-0 is enough.
Teams don’t get many opportunities to be in this position, with the last being when the Blues played the entire series in enemy territory during COVID. They failed to win the final game, which, would have given them the ultimate in bragging rights.
Anyways, they were the good days, only three series ago. Let’s look at the teams.
The Maroons
Have had a stable line-up throughout the series and have only made a couple changes for Game 3 due to injuries and suspension. This stability has given the Maroons a huge advantage and will start favourites for the second time this series.
Don’t ask me why they weren’t favourites from Game 1
The Blues
The Blues look to be polar opposite to the Maroons making 28 changes this series.
Yes, injuries have played the part with key players being unavailable or finally returning. But it feels Freddy and Brandy have been handing out Blues jerseys willy-nilly.
I have discussed this in every article this series so won’t go over it again. But even for Game 3, there are five players dropped. Some I cannot fathom why they played Games 1 or 2.
I don’t know what grass Freddy has been earthing his bare feet in.
On paper, the Blues team looks the strongest for the entire series.
Coach Freddy has planned this team to stop the impending Maroons-wash otherwise he should have backed players of the future like Nicko Hynes.
Carrying Clint Gutherson on the bench is also an odd selection. This is to cover players across the backline but leaves the Blues a bit light weight in the forwards. Not every team has a Ben Hunt.
Again, it feels like the changes are a reaction to Queensland’s recent dominance.
The Verdict
Make no mistake, this is Brad Fittler’s last game as NSW coach. He will be expecting the team to aim up and send him out with a victory.
The game is in the heartland of NSW and will be at capacity.
The Maroons are starting as deserved favourites for a reason and will be hard to beat.
This is Freddy’s last hurrah.
Blues by 8!
