Bradman is simply best for the job: Fittler
Westpac NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler said Newcastle centre Bradman Best had been on his radar for some years and was not being fast-tracked for his Blues debut because of his current solid form for the Knights.
Best, 21, and South Sydney Rabbitohs back rower Keaon Koloamatangi, 25, are the two debutants in the NSW side for Game Three of the Ampol State of Origin series next Wednesday (12 July) at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Best has scored eight tries in his 11 NRL games this year so far – including a hat-trick last weekend against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
He also has 10 try assists and 40 tackle-busts to his name, proving he’s a hard man to bring down.
“He’s been thought about for a while. I coached him when he was 16 (NSW 16s) and he’s been a star coming through,” Fittler said today.
“Whether it’s been injury or a bit of form … and I don’t think the Knights have had that great a success over the last half-a-dozen years or so, which hasn’t helped … but I’ve always wanted to see how he goes at the next level.
“He’s someone I always thought would end up being a State of Origin player and here’s his opportunity. As it happens we’ve had a few centres go down (Latrell Mitchell, calf, and Tom Trbojevic, pectoral muscle).”
Bulldogs five-eighth and a True Blue from the 2022 series, Matt Burton, has been in the extended 2023 squad but Fittler opted for Best for Game Three.
“Well they’re not going that good at the moment the Bulldogs, so it’s probably better if he plays with the Dogs right now,” he said.
Fittler said swapping True Blue Cody Walker for incumbent No.6 Jarome Luai for Game Three had a simple philosophy behind it.
“Look we haven’t scored tries, so the execution hasn’t been that fantastic,” he said.
“If you look at the way Cody has been playing he’s been thought about the whole time – even before he got injured ahead of the last game (Origin II, 21 June).
“His execution has been as good as anyone in the game and we need that so we can score more tries.
“Cody has been in great form – he’s been like that for years. It’s going to be a great opportunity – it’ll be a big crowd and we need to win … we need to get points. “
Like Walker, another True Blue returning to the team is Parramatta Eels fullback Clint Gutherson.
“Just having him here makes me feel good,” Fittler said.
“He’s been the best player in the comp the last month, and when he hasn’t been the best player he’s always trying to be the best.
“Right at the moment we need people in the team who are just whole-hearted.
“With ‘Gutho’ he just does his best and he does cover a lot of positions. We’ve had injuries in the back line the whole way through so he’ll be valuable on the night.”
Fittler – about to coach his 18th Origin game and secure his ninth win – was asked about the pressure he’s been under with the NSW Blues playing Game Three for the first time with the series already lost.
“It’s new – it’s the first time we’ve been in this position,” he said.
“We’re preparing to win a game. We’ve got some blokes playing their first game for NSW so that’s very exciting and you’ve got some blokes coming back who can still have long Origin careers ahead of them.
“So there’s plenty of motivation.
“As for me, my glass is always full – not half – it’s just not coming over the top at the moment.”
