Matt Burton was one of the most contentious of Brad Fittler’s changes for Origin II, but he repaid his coach’s faith with arguably the best NSW Origin debut in the last 20 years.
Not since Brett Hodgson produced what is considered the best Origin debut of all time in game one in 2002 has a NSW player looked so comfortable in his Origin bow.
Hodgson had 374 run metres, 14 tackle busts, six line breaks, a try, a try assist and a goal, but he was already over 100 games into his NRL career and 24 years of age.
Burton at just 22 had played just 47 NRL games before he was plucked by Brad Fittler to play in a do or die game two for NSW and he handled the pressure cooker with ease.
The Bulldogs five-eighth reminded everyone why he was named Dally M centre of the year last season with 105 run metres, five tackle busts, a linebreak assist, a try assist, a try and four tackles without a miss.
He also came up with some ridiculous kicks that not many other players in the history of the game can do and he showed his class in the big moments to help lead the Blues to victory.
Burton’s star turn has left Fittler with a welcome selection headache, with Jack Wighton, who starred in game one at centre and regular starter Latrell Mitchell set to be fit for the decider.
However, such was Burton’s brilliance in Perth it is almost unfathomable that he could be dropped for the Suncorp decider.
Michael Ennis praised Blues coach Brad Fittler for following his instincts in picking Burton.
“To Freddy’s credit it was brave and that’s what his whole tenure as NSW coach has been,” Ennis said.
“He has been willing to roll the dice and make tough decisions to win footy games.
“I think the fact that he rolled the dice and brought Matt Burton in. He was tremendous.
“He has great spatial awareness defensively. I thought he was really good defensively.
“He has great skill to set up the try for Brian To’o, who he has played a lot of football with.
“He showed his class and he really stepped up and owned some big moments in the second half with his kicking game. He took a lot of pressure off Cleary.”
Cooper Cronk believes Burton’s kicking game put the Maroons under so much pressure that it opened doors for his teammates.
“He set up a try and scored one in the first half, but then the untold story about his kicking game in the second half is the ripple effect,” Cronk said.
“He comes out and launches this absolute rocket that turns Murray Taulagi inside out and upside down and he goes to the backfoot and starts second guessing himself and that gives Cleary the space to throw to Tupou.
“Have a look at that kick. It brought down rain, thunderbolts and everything else and it just creates space and time for everyone else.
“I thought his kicking game in the second half was the real lighting rod moment to give NSW the field position and the territory to do what they did.”
Burton’s kicking game even had Ennis wondering if the NFL scouts will come for Burton later in his career.
“I wonder if when he gets a bit older and we have seen it with AFL guys that they get headhunted by NFL teams as punters,” Ennis said.
“I have never seen a boot like it. I don’t know if I have ever seen a bigger boot in rugby league.
“That one (kick) nearly left the stadium and did a couple of laps round The Star.”
Ennis believes Burton’s and the Bulldogs improved form in the last fortnight paved the way for his star turn in Origin II.
“I think his form for Canterbury over the last fortnight probably played a factor in how he handled it tonight,” Ennis said.
“I think he went into tonight’s game with a lot of confidence. His last two or three weeks for Canterbury have been sensational and their results have been good.
Matt Burton repaid Brad Fittler’s faith.Source: Getty Images
“But he obviously has that great cohesion. He picked up that ball off his bootlaces in slippery conditions.
“On his Origin debut he scores a try. He sets up one. He makes a huge impact with some of his kicks. Defensively he was outstanding.
“Like honestly, one of the great debuts really.”
Cronk has no doubt Burton has all the skills, but is more impressed by his approach to the game and the ease at which he handles the pressure.
“Skill aside the temperament of the young man is what you can build a career on because he has been able to play in big games out of position too,” Cronk said.
“I know he is Dally M centre of the year, but his preferred position is the No.6.
“For him to be able to play a part in the first try for Kaufusi to then go on and come up with some really big plays in that first half and then really jump on and start the juggernaut for NSW in that second half.
Matt Burton celebrates with his family.Source: Getty Images
“The kid can play and there is no doubt he is that type of player you can just give a number to or give a jersey to and he can fill a role and scratch, claw and compete and fight for everything.”
Now Fittler must decide whether to change a winning team for the decider, with Wighton and Mitchell both incumbents before injury and Covid ruled them out.
Ennis believes Wighton has to come back in given his versatility and form in the series opener.
“I thought he was our best player in Game one albeit they didn’t win,” Ennis said.
“Jack is an Origin player and has to be there. I would be surprised if they changed their starting 13.
“I thought Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton did an amazing job but I would have Jack there as No. 17 instead of (Siosifa) Talakai.
Matt Burton relished playing with his old Panthers teammates again.Source: Getty Images
“As unfortunate as that is, I thought Talakai did a really good job when he came on, I think having Angus Crichton and Junior Paulo, Damien Cook and Jack Wighton.
“Jack Wighton can play anywhere, fullback, centre, wing, you could throw him in the middle, he just loves the physicality and Jack has to be there for Game III in my opinion, I love what he brings to a footy side and he’s an Origin player. He’s a weapon.
“He deserves to be there after that first game, to be there and finish off the series, it was unfortunate that he got Covid, he would have done a great job tonight.”
Mitchell needs to get through the next fortnight and get some footy under his belt for Souths, but will surely come into calculations for a decide in enemy territory.
That could mean Stephen Crichton is the unlucky man to make way, but given his strong performance in game two it would be a brutal call.
However, Fittler makes no apologies for picking the best team to win, which could bring Mitchell right into the frame.
But surely it won’t come at the expense of Burton after his amazing debut.
Social media blew up with experts and pundits alike in awe of Burton’s masterclass on debut.
Not since Brett Hodgson produced what is considered the best Origin debut of all time in game one in 2002 has a NSW player looked so comfortable in his Origin bow.
Hodgson had 374 run metres, 14 tackle busts, six line breaks, a try, a try assist and a goal, but he was already over 100 games into his NRL career and 24 years of age.
Burton at just 22 had played just 47 NRL games before he was plucked by Brad Fittler to play in a do or die game two for NSW and he handled the pressure cooker with ease.
The Bulldogs five-eighth reminded everyone why he was named Dally M centre of the year last season with 105 run metres, five tackle busts, a linebreak assist, a try assist, a try and four tackles without a miss.
He also came up with some ridiculous kicks that not many other players in the history of the game can do and he showed his class in the big moments to help lead the Blues to victory.
Burton’s star turn has left Fittler with a welcome selection headache, with Jack Wighton, who starred in game one at centre and regular starter Latrell Mitchell set to be fit for the decider.
However, such was Burton’s brilliance in Perth it is almost unfathomable that he could be dropped for the Suncorp decider.
Michael Ennis praised Blues coach Brad Fittler for following his instincts in picking Burton.
“To Freddy’s credit it was brave and that’s what his whole tenure as NSW coach has been,” Ennis said.
“He has been willing to roll the dice and make tough decisions to win footy games.
“I think the fact that he rolled the dice and brought Matt Burton in. He was tremendous.
“He has great spatial awareness defensively. I thought he was really good defensively.
“He has great skill to set up the try for Brian To’o, who he has played a lot of football with.
“He showed his class and he really stepped up and owned some big moments in the second half with his kicking game. He took a lot of pressure off Cleary.”
Cooper Cronk believes Burton’s kicking game put the Maroons under so much pressure that it opened doors for his teammates.
“He set up a try and scored one in the first half, but then the untold story about his kicking game in the second half is the ripple effect,” Cronk said.
“He comes out and launches this absolute rocket that turns Murray Taulagi inside out and upside down and he goes to the backfoot and starts second guessing himself and that gives Cleary the space to throw to Tupou.
“Have a look at that kick. It brought down rain, thunderbolts and everything else and it just creates space and time for everyone else.
“I thought his kicking game in the second half was the real lighting rod moment to give NSW the field position and the territory to do what they did.”
Burton’s kicking game even had Ennis wondering if the NFL scouts will come for Burton later in his career.
“I wonder if when he gets a bit older and we have seen it with AFL guys that they get headhunted by NFL teams as punters,” Ennis said.
“I have never seen a boot like it. I don’t know if I have ever seen a bigger boot in rugby league.
“That one (kick) nearly left the stadium and did a couple of laps round The Star.”
Ennis believes Burton’s and the Bulldogs improved form in the last fortnight paved the way for his star turn in Origin II.
“I think his form for Canterbury over the last fortnight probably played a factor in how he handled it tonight,” Ennis said.
“I think he went into tonight’s game with a lot of confidence. His last two or three weeks for Canterbury have been sensational and their results have been good.
“But he obviously has that great cohesion. He picked up that ball off his bootlaces in slippery conditions.
“On his Origin debut he scores a try. He sets up one. He makes a huge impact with some of his kicks. Defensively he was outstanding.
“Like honestly, one of the great debuts really.”
Cronk has no doubt Burton has all the skills, but is more impressed by his approach to the game and the ease at which he handles the pressure.
“Skill aside the temperament of the young man is what you can build a career on because he has been able to play in big games out of position too,” Cronk said.
“I know he is Dally M centre of the year, but his preferred position is the No.6.
“For him to be able to play a part in the first try for Kaufusi to then go on and come up with some really big plays in that first half and then really jump on and start the juggernaut for NSW in that second half.
“The kid can play and there is no doubt he is that type of player you can just give a number to or give a jersey to and he can fill a role and scratch, claw and compete and fight for everything.”
Now Fittler must decide whether to change a winning team for the decider, with Wighton and Mitchell both incumbents before injury and Covid ruled them out.
Ennis believes Wighton has to come back in given his versatility and form in the series opener.
“I thought he was our best player in Game one albeit they didn’t win,” Ennis said.
“Jack is an Origin player and has to be there. I would be surprised if they changed their starting 13.
“I thought Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton did an amazing job but I would have Jack there as No. 17 instead of (Siosifa) Talakai.
“As unfortunate as that is, I thought Talakai did a really good job when he came on, I think having Angus Crichton and Junior Paulo, Damien Cook and Jack Wighton.
“Jack Wighton can play anywhere, fullback, centre, wing, you could throw him in the middle, he just loves the physicality and Jack has to be there for Game III in my opinion, I love what he brings to a footy side and he’s an Origin player. He’s a weapon.
“He deserves to be there after that first game, to be there and finish off the series, it was unfortunate that he got Covid, he would have done a great job tonight.”
Mitchell needs to get through the next fortnight and get some footy under his belt for Souths, but will surely come into calculations for a decide in enemy territory.
That could mean Stephen Crichton is the unlucky man to make way, but given his strong performance in game two it would be a brutal call.
However, Fittler makes no apologies for picking the best team to win, which could bring Mitchell right into the frame.
But surely it won’t come at the expense of Burton after his amazing debut.
Social media blew up with experts and pundits alike in awe of Burton’s masterclass on debut.
