New South Wales coach Brad Fittler says he’s marked down his starting 18 for State of Origin Game 1.
With the Blues squad set to be announced following this weekend’s NRL games, Fittler said he’s got his team written down barring any late hurdles.
“I’ve got a little man satchel next to me, and in that is a little black folder is a one to 17 in pencil,” Fittler said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I’ve (actually) got an 18, it’s in pencil, I took the advice of Gus (Gould), to put them in pencil.
“I thought that’s a really good idea, it’s a great way to believe in what you’re thinking.
“You can’t put your heart on it (with one round left), so you put it in pencil.”
Fittler says the team will be finalised tomorrow night when he meets with his selection committee, while hinting that club combinations could be a key theme in this year’s side.
“We’ve got a meeting tomorrow night, so I’ll go and listen to Greg Alexander, Danny Buderus and Craig Fitzgibbon,” Fittler said.
“I’ll talk to a couple of other people as well, when you look at the Penrith side they show you how important personnel is.
“If you get that right, it doesn’t always mean the best players, but the ones that want to work the hardest from each other.
“We’ll walk away tomorrow going into the weekend hoping everyone stays fit, healthy and don’t get suspended.”
With Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic the form player of the competition, Fittler was asked whether he would wear the number one jersey for the side or if the role will remain in James Tedesco’s hands.
“(Trbojevic could play) a type of fullback, possibly,” Fittler said.
“I don’t know if he’ll wear the number one, James Tedesco our captain has done a really good job.
“He could play a type of fullback I’m sure.”
The series kicks off on Wednesday, June 9 at the MCG.