I haven't done it before at ANZ Stadium, but I'm going to sit on the sideline again on Wednesday night. There's just something about being close to the action and close to your players. It's a much more enjoyable experience than being in the box.
I loved being down in the rain at Optus Stadium for game two. The result obviously helped, but you can take it all in a lot better when you're right on top of the action. Maybe because of the ground's configuration it made sense to be down there in Perth. But I'm going to do it again back at home for the series decider. I've already decided that's where I want to be for the 80 minutes in front of more than 80,000 of our fans.
Brad Fittler coaches from the sideline during Origin II in Perth.Credit:NRL Photos
I can speak to the players directly and I just find it a lot more fun.
This series has been a completely different experience to last year. That usually happens when you lose the first game. You're under the pump and you have to stay away from newspapers and other forms of media. That whole aspect has been very interesting this year.
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In some respects, I think when we lost the first game it might have been the worst thing for Queensland. Our group has grown because of it. We learned so much from Brisbane and then how to win under pressure. But it's different again trying to win a decider.
It all came down to what would happen if Jimmy Maloney got injured? That was what made the decision to bring Mitchell in clear.
Everyone has been telling us how poor NSW's recent record has been in game three when the series has been on the line. This is a great chance for us to learn how to do that in the best possible environment in front of our own people.
Our team went through a tough time losing the last seven deciders. The fans went through a tough time. But walking through the streets the fans seem really positive. They're always wishing you good luck and it's all in a really good manner. That's been really enjoyable. It just seems the general public in NSW are happy. They see the effort this team is putting in. We plan to do it for them.
Mitchell Pearce's return to the NSW side is a beauty. He's in such a good space. The same can be said for David Klemmer, who has dealt with the disappointment of initially missing the squad and then coming back when Tariq Sims was suspended.
Those guys have showed great character. We all have a chance to show great character. I think it's important those are the two guys that are coming back into our side for game three. They've been here before. You don't have to show them around the dressing room. Queensland have brought in a couple of rookies with Corey Norman and Christian Welch and it's always a bit of an unknown.
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