Joey's "left field" solution to NSW lock dilemma

Tom Gibbs

True Blue Andrew Johns has revealed his “left field” solution to solve the back row debate for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues this season with coach Brad Fittler looking at an embarrassment of riches in the lock forward position.

Johns has called on South Sydney’s No.13 Cameron Murray to fill a spot in the backrow on the right edge with Sydney Roosters’ Angus Crichton filling the backrow spot on the other side with Roosters enforcer Victor Radley getting the nod at lock.

Starting on an edge is nothing new for Murray having previously played five matches at second row under Wayne Bennett in 2020. In that short space of time he produced a try, a try assist, two line breaks, one line break assist, six tackle breaks, seven offloads, and an average of 104 run metres and 37 tackles.

“I’ve got Cam Murray starting in the back row on an edge and my favourite player, especially in the forwards, is Victor,” Johns said.

“If you watch, every time Sam Walker gets the ball, it’s always off him.

“He’s the best ball playing forward in the game.”

Johns went on to explain his plan for the former Junior Kangaroos teammates, starting Radley in the early exchanges of Game One before moving the latter to bench and shifting Murray to lock to alter the NSW attack.

“Cam Murray will start on an edge and when Victor goes off after 25 (minutes), he goes to lock,” Johns said.

Asked by the Fittler if there were any doubts about the Rabbitohs’ forward spending a possible four to six weeks sidelined in the lead up to the opening clash of the Ampol State of Origin Series, Johns remained confident Murray’s fitness would have him up to the task.

“You know what he’s like, he’s a naturally fit (player),” Johns said.

“(Playing both lock forwards) you change the you attack when Victor goes off and he goes to lock, and you start playing through the middle with him (Murray).

Despite the selection headache that faces Fittler with the available talent at lock forward, Johns believed Radley had the edge over the likes of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles’ Jake Trbojevic and Penrith’s Isaah Yeo.

“Tough decisions need to be made, but I just think this bloke (Radley) is State of Origin,” Johns said.

“He rips in, but it’s his ball playing around the middle of the field – the way he links not only his halves and his fullback, but the way he brings these two (prop forward pairing) into play and gets them one-on-one tackles.

“He’s just ahead of Isaah Yeo – they (NSW locks) are all close together – but I like him, plenty of mongrel.”