The Melbourne Storm coach would have watched on with shock in the Origin decider.
NSW fans have been left deflated after the Blues’ series defeat to Queensland in the State of Origin decider, and questions are being asked of Laurie Daley, Craig Bellamy and their selections. The Blues headed into the Origin decider as favourites to win their second series in a row in front of a sold out crowd in Sydney.
But tactics and selections have come under the microscope after the crushing 24-12 defeat. Queensland were absolutely dominant in Game 2 and Game 3, with Billy Slater earning praise for bringing in debutants Robert Toia and Gehmat Shibasaki throughout the series, while dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the second game.
Dropping their halfback was a huge decision, but Slater’s call to bring in Tom Dearden was a masterstroke. Dearden won player-of-the-series after two standout games in the No.7 jersey and looks like he could become an Origin great. Slater’s Game 3 plan, predicted by Cooper Cronk, was also executed brilliantly with the rushing defence of Queensland nullifying the NSW backline.
While Slater is earning the plaudits, Daley and the inclusion of special advisor Bellamy is being questioned. Daley brought in Melbourne Storm coach Bellamy to be his advisor for the series and it was deemed a potentially-winning move ahead of the series. But Bellamy has now been involved in another series loss after NSW got their tactics all wrong.
He was the head coach from 2008 to 2010, but failed to win a series against an elite Queensland side boasting a number of future Immortals. And his involvement this year has only added to his woes with Bellamy never tasting victory as part of management. The Storm coach is facing scrutiny over the selection of Stefano Utoikamanu, who he would have spruiked to Daley.
The Storm front-rower has been solid for Melbourne this year, but his stats have been underwhelming compared to the likes of Tigers prop Terrell May and Rabbitohs star Keaon Koloamatangi.
Utoikamanu came off the bench in Game 2 in Perth to play 27 minutes. He ran for 41 metres and made 22 tackles in his short time on the field during the wet conditions. In the decider, he played 26 minutes and ran for 54 metres with 28 tackles.
Many fans feel Utoikamanu should not have been selected after having little impact in both games. He was even called out during Harry Grant’s try in the first-half for not getting involved. Grant scooted from dummy-half and wrestled his way over the line to score past a number of NSW defenders. While it was a poor effort from the defenders, some felt Utoikamanu could have helped out more than he did. Instead, he watched on from a close distance and opted not to get involved as Grant scored the try.
He was also unable to prevent Tom Dearden scooting away for the second try of the game, and looked gassed despite only being on the field for a matter of minutes. Fans were quick to criticise the selection of Utoikamanu on Wednesday night, as well as that of fellow front-rower Max King (a former Storm player).
Laurie Daley tactics in Origin called out
After Game 1, former Brisbane Broncos player Denan Kemp also suggested NSW advisor Bellamy was the mastermind behind tactical switches to Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary. Kemp felt Bellamy had an influence of moving away from the Penrith Panthers style of footy, which has not been a successful game plan in Origin in years gone by.
Kemp pointed out that the players Bellamy uses at lock for the Melbourne Storm are predominantly runners rather than passers. “I don’t think the Bellamy angle is being talked about enough,” Kemp declared after Game 1. “Isaah Yeo played totally different. Every time he got the ball he ran it straight.”
While it worked in Brisbane, for whatever reason NSW reverted to a different game plan in Game 2 and 3. The Penrith Panthers-style footy has struggled to work in the Origin arena for a number of years. Despite the club’s success in the NRL, it hasn’t translated to the Origin level.
And with Yeo, Cleary, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and former Panthers star Jarome Luai all part of Game, NSW fans had seen this game plan play out before. Questions will be asked of why NSW didn’t adapt when Queensland seemed the more malleable side when it mattered.
Craig Bellamy coaching against Melbourne stars
And the loss for NSW marks another series Bellamy has tasted defeat at the hands of his Melbourne Storm players. Back in 2010, Bellamy was up against the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk when coaching NSW.
The successful coach admitted he didn’t like going up against his club players and preparing tactics to stop their game. And Bellamy could be set for another rethink having once again been outmanoeuvred in the Origin arena. The coaching legend’s resume is largely unrivaled, but he’s now lost all four State of Origin series he’s been involved in (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2025).
This time, Grant and Cameron Munster masterminded a victory in the decider in Sydney to hand Queensland the win. And it remains to be seen if Bellamy will get involved in 2026 with Daley still expected to have another crack as head coach.
