MAN FOR THE JOB

I think I can do a good job. I just feel I have good rapport when I coach. Even when I coached the Roosters, we had a fantastic period there where we went from coming last, to playing in a couple of semi-finals. Ultimately though, I don’t know if it was the right stage for me; I’d had young children.

I think the situation this time around might suit me more. I was part of Laurie Daley’s team in ’13 or ’14. I’ve always loved State of Origin. Like a lot of people, it just grabs you.

With Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters. (Photo by Getty Images)

It wouldn’t have really started, of course, unless Peter Sterling hadn’t asked me about it on The Footy Show one day. I think it was when Craig Bellamy was retiring, Peter Sterling said to me, “Would you coach Origin?” I just shrugged my shoulders and said. “Yeah, why not? Of course.”

Again, whether I was right for it at that time … I’ve been involved with the NSW junior pathways kids for a couple of years, and obviously with City-Country. I just feel like I can add value.

TIMES ARE A-CHANGIN’

I think the way the game has rolled for the last ten years, with the Melbournes and the Cowboys, they’re exciting teams; the way they play. They’ve been the best teams consistently year-in, year-out for a long time now. And they do go into pretty much every Origin series leading the competition and with a lot of confidence.

The really appealing part at the moment, though, is that you have St George-Illawarra, Penrith, the Tigers, even the Warriors have a couple of New South Wales players, the Roosters … There are some Sydney teams doing really well. I don’t think I’ve seen that for a long time. Whether it’s a change in how the refs are ruling, or maybe some of the Queensland players are getting older, and their teams are changing as well … I don’t think the comp has been in this sort’ve position for a long time.

If everyone stays fit and healthy, there’s going to be a really good footy team there and I think the Blues fans will really be drawn to them. If we base it all on effort and courage and all those sorts of things, the fans will really pick up on that. We have 20 of those NSW-eligible players playing like that at the moment.

(Photo by Getty images)

ORIGIN SWANSONG

The thing I remember about that most ... I still remember it. I can see the ball spinning from the kick, and when I scored the try, the most vivid thing for me is turning around and seeing all these young blokes rushing at me, congratulating me, being together. Obviously we won the game. I recall the moments before the try, the clarity in seeing the football, and then the best and most vivid thing is putting the ball down and turning around and seeing all these young players who I was never going to get a chance to play footy with; just getting the opportunity to celebrate.

- as told to James Smith

DON'T MISS THE FOUR-PAGE INTERVIEW WITH FREDDY IN THE CURRENT EDITION OF INSIDE SPORT MAGAZINE.