Hagan says Gidley man to inspire Blues revival
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Hagan says Gidley man to inspire Blues revival
BY ROBERT DILLON
09 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM
NSW selectors considered him unworthy of a starting position and stripped him of the captaincy but Kurt Gidley was the man who Queensland feared most during Wednesday night's State of Origin series finale at ANZ Stadium.
As the Blues sift through the rubble after an unprecedented fifth series loss, one of the masterminds of Queensland's 2010 success, assistant coach Michael Hagan, says Gidley will be a key figure if NSW hope to rebuild and end the Maroons dynasty.
Queensland's 23-18 triumph clinched their first clean sweep since 1995 and left Blues fans wondering when, how and if the juggernaut can be stopped.
But Hagan said yesterday Gidley's display on Wednesday should give NSW cause for optimism.
Benched for game two and replaced as captain in game three by Trent Barrett, Gidley responded with probably the finest representative display of his career.
Entering the game as stop-gap hooker in the 20th minute, he created the Blues' first try, scored their second and was largely responsible for NSW grabbing a shock 18-13 lead 11 minutes from full-time.
Hagan gave an insight to the respect Queensland have for Gidley, who has played in 10 Origin games over four unsuccessful series.
"He worried us more than anybody when he came on last night," he said.
"There is no disputing his ability as a footy player and the contribution he can make to a team. I thought he really triggered some of their attack when he came on.
"I think you'd have to say he's one of the best 13 players in NSW, so it's then a matter of where does he fit into that starting team, I guess.
"I thought it was tremendous the way he played."
Hagan, who was coaching Newcastle when Gidley made his NRL debut in 2001, said it was "a bit disappointing" when NSW selectors replaced the 28-year-old as skipper, though he acknowledged Gidley was "a victim of being so versatile".
He expected Gidley, who was awarded the Brad Fittler Medal as the Blues' player of the series, would be a candidate to lead NSW next year.
"I still like to think he'd be considered as captain next year, given the contribution he makes," Hagan said.
"He's just a wholehearted player who leads by example and I think the players around him respond to him really well."
Asked whether NSW should build a future around Gidley, Hagan replied: "I think he's part of that group of players that they need to build their team around, for sure.
"That's probably not for me to talk too much about what their plans are but I think Kurt is a tremendous player and was one of their best last night."
Knights coach Rick Stone said he was proud of Gidley for proving a point to the doubters.
"I think on his performance they would have to find a starting spot for him somewhere," Stone said.
"I think he's proven in the three games last year and three games this year that he is an Origin-type player.
"They're actually quite rare in our competition, the real, genuine Origin-type players, and I think NSW are learning that hard lesson right now."
Stone said Gidley had "a bit of a bump on his shoulder" but expected to back up for Newcastle against Cronulla on Sunday.
Hagan, who was back at his desk yesterday morning, said he relished being involved as Mal Meninga's deputy for the series but work commitments would dictate whether he would be available next year.
