Blues future starts now says Daley

Laurie Daley will have one final message for NSW ahead of State of Origin III as the Blues desperately attempt to avoid a clean sweep: the future starts now.

With the Blues seeking to recover from another Queensland series victory, their 10th in 11 years, Daley will blood his ninth and 10th rookie for the past two seasons in bench back-rower Wade Graham and fullback James Tedesco.

The Blues are determined to send retiring skipper Paul Gallen out a winner at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday but they will do so with one eye firmly on the future.

Long-serving rake Robbie Farah could also be playing his final Origin game, veteran centre Michael Jennings might be in the same boat and Greg Bird will unlikely play for the Blues again after being overlooked for game three.

Canterbury centre Josh Morris, who was a key figure in the Blues drought-breaking series win in 2014, is another who could be passed over in 2017.

Daley is contracted with the NSWRL until the end of the 2017 series and in the final three years of his tenure he will have overseen one of the most dramatic squad overhauls in Blues history.

Game two debutants Tyson Frizell and Jack Bird showed they have the potential to be key parts of Blues sides well into the future.

But Daley knows a win in game three is vital to start off on the right foot in 2017.

“We have gradually started to have a lot of change in our side since 2014,” Daley said.

“And again last year we stated to make some huge changes and at the end of this series there will be a couple more that may or may not go on.

“For us it is about going out there and playing some really good football. We haven’t played anywhere near out potential and we have been close (on the scoreboard) – that is what excites me.

“If we do win it will give us some optimism moving into next year.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!