Under-pressure coach Paul Green hopes Queensland’s football does the talking for him after captain Daly Cherry-Evans admitted a win on Wednesday would help to keep them both in a job.
NSW have already secured the State of Origin series and – up 76-6 after two games – remain in the box seat to complete the most lopsided campaign in history at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.
A 26-0 loss in Brisbane was the Maroons’ first scoreless effort at home and followed a record 50-6 hiding in Townsville that set the tone.
Off-field dramas have compounded Green’s problems during his first campaign in charge, with Ronaldo Mulitalo’s eligibility dramas and Jai Arrow’s COVID-19 breach creating unprecedented headaches.
Former NSW coach Phil Gould believes Green won’t coach Queensland next season regardless of Wednesday’s result, criticising his selections, leadership and negativity after the Brisbane loss.
The former North Queensland premiership winner didn’t bite on Tuesday, smiling back at questions about his coaching future and delivering a simple message.
“There’s nothing I can say; what’s going to count is how we play tomorrow night,” he said.
“The time for talking’s probably done, we need to show some actions and that counts tomorrow night.
“That’s (my future as Queensland coach) out of my hands, I’m not even worried or thinking about it.
“Just stick solid, stick by us, we’ll be right.”
Cherry-Evans’ leadership has also taken a hammering just one year after it had been celebrated in an unlikely underdog Queensland series win.
“With that sort of stuff we understand that situation,” he said.
“If you’re not winning games of footy the coach and playing group, in particular the leaders, come under the most scrutiny.
“If we get a win tomorrow night it’s going to help Greeny retain his job – and players like myself – but I’m really confident in where we are and what we’re doing.
“Greeny’s doing the best job he can and unfortunately the results haven’t reflected the hard work he’s put in, but it comes with the territory when you’re down 2-0 in the series.
“I might be a little crazy, but I think I’m going to win every game I play and tomorrow night’s no different.”
A 3-0 result would be the Blues’ first since 2000 and even sweeter considering all three games have been played in Queensland.
“Until they do that (sweep Queensland on home soil) then you just win another series and that’s about it,” Blues coach Brad Fittler said.
“It would be a big part of history I think if we’re able to do that … thinking about that, it’s pretty cool.”
AAP
