Seasons, and series results, can be decided a decision.
A recruitment decsion, a personal switch, a change in gameplan.
Sometimes these decisions lead to glory. Other times they lead to disaster.
"Disaster" may be hyperbole here but today we are going to focus in on those decisions that didn't pan out particularly well.
These are not meant to be "I told you so" type of moments. Just a look back at five decisions that didn't go the way they were designed.
With that said, here of the biggest mistakes during the 2025 season:
2. 2. Laurie Daley's Origin selections
Or perhaps more-so his non selections ...
Laurie Daley was handed a virtual layup on the back of Michael Maguire's incredible, albeit short, tenure as NSW Blues coach.
With one of the all time greatest crops of talent to choose from, the series was very much there for the taking.
Yet here we are discussion another QLD Series win despite the Blues winning the opener in QLD.
If it sounds as though I am placing blame solely and completely on coach Laruie Daley, it's because I absolutely am.
To not pick one of the form props of the competition in Terrell May and instead go with low impact players was one of the all time selection gaffes.
Max King played 25 minutes in Origin Two and 22 in Origin Three. He started both games.
Daley's decision to not pivot to form fullback of the comp, and eventual Dally M winner, James Tedesco annoyed plenty. For good reason.
It was his inability to shift from a losing formula that leaves a bad taste in the mouths of those of us south of the Tweed.
His bench was picked with no plan B ... or I'd argue Plan A.
He went with solid option Stefano Utoikamanu on the bench instead of opting for a specialised impact player.
He stuck with Max King as a starter, and used him in one stint efforts. You're telling me Terrell May wouldn't have been a better option?
Reece Robson was guaranteed Origin Three despite a lacklustre opening to the series while attacking options Blayke Brailey and Apisai Koroisau watched on.
I don't know whether it was pride, bad advice or a lack of feel for the game but Laurie Daley lost this series far more than QLD won it.
The Galvin spin is so easy and Lazy. Dogs haven’t had a dominant 7 outside a role player since Trent Hodgekinson. Toby lost his short kicking game and while he had every intention to run the footy in 2025 he got belted on about 4 occassions where he coughed up possession. His biggest attribute was funnily enough his defence on bog bodies but his reads were often criticised by his captain.
The common play from coaches under pressure like Payten, Obrien ( who doesn’t make this list ridiculously) and many former coaches is to scapegoat their halves. Ciraldo at 9/2 record starts a plan to bring in Galvin and treated like he’s made the biggest mistake. Galvin was clearly the 7 in our last match and the dominant half as far as touches go, in every game he started. Multiple repeat sets earnt and had on average triple the amount of touches on left edge as what Sexton did or could. Not to mention, Galvin barely got to play with Burton in the halves. The last 3 games Burto spent less than 20 minutes total in the halves position due to injuries to Xerri, Montoya, Crichton and Tuala. Had very little platform from a tired and interupted pack and both he and Sexy were gonna struggle against the best sides.
Had ypu of said biggest mistake was not to rest players in rd 27, that is closer to the truth.
DCE drama fair to say but still not announced..hilarious.
Atkinson wasted on the bench, but that didn’t wreck the Sharks season – they made the prelims.
Galvin/Hayward for Sexton/Mahoney ? Michael says “no”, but I think swapping half the spine when the club is going well is “probably”.
DCE ? A “no” from me. The business didn’t help, but he’s a pro and I didn’t see his form falling off. Manly missed the eight primarily because of injuries and because of poor recruitment/retention from previous seasons.
Laurie Daley ? YES ! !
Cowboys ? Don’t know. Don’t follow them.
Newcastle not punting AOB after Round 8 when Newcastle fell to 15th on the ladder. I think at that point the writing was on the wall, and getting in _anyone_ fresh would at least have shown the club was serious. Something that Michael and I can agree on.