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There are seven times the NSW coaching staff could not erase from their memories.
It's a thing to be done by a player – that can be fixed.
But when coaches start questioning a player's decision-making and whether they're up for a game as important as Origin, confidence in that person's ability to get the job done begins to erode quickly.
In Latrell Mitchell's box, that's what happened in the first 40 minutes at Suncorp Stadium in Origin I.
There have been plenty of theories behind Mitchell's axing for the game.
To put it simply, the Blues just felt they did not have enough time to figure out.
For the Blues, it was a gamble they could not afford to take the series on the line. As they've said, they need to know, not hope, for what they'd get from their players.
NRL.com went back through the footage and highlighted a number of errors in Mitchell's game that was magnified in the blues' post-match review.
While the left side struggles defensively, the Blues were willing to wear that.
But the biggest discussion in the world of the table was in Mitchell's decision-making.
There were some early warning signs in the game, which NSW lost, that only heightened their concerns.
NSW do not know what he's going through. But they understand how to know when they are most concerned.
The moments that cost Mitchell: 1
When Josh Addo-Carr retrieves the ball 15 meters out of his own line from a Cameron Munster kick, Mitchell heads to the wing and finds himself in a good position to support his winger.
With his speed, Addo-Carr does enough to get Dane Gagai and draw in Will Chambers. Mitchell does not support Addo-Carr, despite a 10-meter corridor with no Queenslander in front of him.
The moments that cost Mitchell: 2
Daly Cherry-Evans puts up a bomb that is taken 15 meters out by James Tedesco.
The NSW fullback beats the first two defenders and makes a break, but Mitchell does not put himself in a position to support his Roosters teammate, who is brought down just short of the halfway line.
The moments that cost Mitchell: 3, 4 & 5
In this set of six, the bells begin ringing for the Blues in relation to Mitchell. David Klemmer produces an offload on halfway that Damien Cook puts into open space. Cook heads down Mitchell 's left edge but Mitchell is the furthest of the ball in support of the hooker races away. The next tackle the Blues head down the blindside and have an opportunity to exploit to three-on-two advantage, however, Mitchell is slow to react and take it out of the play by heading in-field.
Cody Walker the ball. Walker heads back to the ruck and grubbers into the goal. Mitchell is going back to work with his team.
The moments that cost Mitchell: 6
A Queensland come right through Ben Hunt, Mitchell and Walker are walking off the line. It puts Boyd Cordner in a vulnerable position defensively and then Mitchell is caught in no-man's land as Cherry-Evans finds Will Chambers on the outside.
Addo-Carr had dropped back, but unfortunately Mitchell is the slowest of the Blues' left-edge defense to chase, the Roosters center appearing to show a lack of urgency.
The moments that cost Mitchell: 7
Munster's footwork exposes the NSW left edge once again. While Mitchell is out-numbered, his decision to go for the intercept instead of taking the ball down to the field. The pace of Addo-Carr saves what seemed like a certain Queensland try.
Freddy throwaway flat falls
Brad Fittler has been praised during the past 18 months for his relaxed approach, often making light of serious situations.
Unfortunately for Fittler there was a moment in his life that he did not hope for.
There are many at South Sydney who feel the Blues coach disrespected Cody Walker when he jokingly explained the reasons behind James Maloney's reinstatement.
"Well, I rank Braith Anasta and he said he could not play, so Jimmy was the last five-eighth that was standing," Fittler said.
It has not gone down well in Redfern, despite no disrespect intended by the coach.
Klem delays going under the knife
Newcastle prop David Klemmer, who has declared himself for selection for the Blues in game three, is expected to undergo a breakthrough surgery.
Klemmer opted against having the surgery just as he would have placed his ambitions of playing finals football for the Knights in jeopardy.
Blues embraces demoted star
The Blues enjoyed their traditional bonding session at The Star Casino in Sydney on the following morning.
Much to their surprise, Latrell Mitchell – unaware the Blues were there – walked in with his friends. It could have been an awkward moment but the Blues coaching staff embraced the center.
Not backing up proves costly
Brad Fittler has been writing for the first time.
Call it a coincidence, perhaps, but the two players were dropped for game two – Josh Morris, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Angus Crichton – are the only players who did not take the field for their clubs after game one.
Wallace zips lip
Queensland prop Jarrod Wallace is so focused on Sunday's game following his recollection to the Maroons side that he has placed himself on a media ban for the week.
Speaking of bans, Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr admitted he was not allowed to talk about the national anthem that was flared again after training Blues winger Timana Tahu's controversial column in which he implied there were Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell were overlooked for Origin II in part due to their refusal to sing the anthem in the opener series.
The views in this article are not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, or NRL clubs or state associations.
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