Amateur hour: It’s time for NSW to clear the decks … from Trodden and Daley down

June 18, 2026 — 1:33pm

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Amateur hour. It’s a phrase used to describe a performance that displays a disappointing lack of skill, professionalism or sound judgment.

NSW’s performance in Origin II ticked every one of those boxes.

A lack of skill? Where do you start?

Yes, they’re a team of professional footballers, backed by a professional staff, but that’s only on paper. When facing a blowtorch, the Blues collectively left their practicing certificates at the team hotel.

As for sound judgment, it begins and ends at the selection table. And that’s where it ended for the Blues.

Quite rightly, there will be all hell to pay for coach Laurie Daley and his crew of advisers, whoever they are. They will be hiding under rocks today, hoping someone pinpoints others as the villains.

In the second half at the MCG, Queensland threw a party, piling on 36 points. A rejuvenated Selwyn Cobbo turned in close to a perfect-10 performance. He played like the star he was always destined to be now that he has escaped the strange and confining surrounds of the Broncos and found greener pastures just north of Brisbane at the Dolphins.

Halfback Sam Walker was born for this stage. A prodigy out of the famous Queensland Walker family, he’s been expertly handled at the Roosters under........

© WA Today