Plenty of experts and just about every NSW fan out there are calling for changes in the wake of Wednesday night’s MCG capitulation.

Me included.

Bring in this bloke and get rid of that bloke. That guy’s not up to it. He had a shocker. Why didn’t they pick him?

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Blah, blah, blah.

Seriously, let’s cut to the chase.

You want to know where it went wrong for NSW?

It went wrong the moment they decided who was going to coach the Blues after Michael Maguire walked out to coach the Brisbane Broncos.

And before anyone thinks this is simply another Laurie Daley pile-on, it’s actually the opposite.

Because the real issue isn’t Daley.

It’s that the biggest event in rugby league is effectively off limits to the 17 best coaches in the game who are currently coaching NRL clubs.

Yet when it comes time to coach the best players in the game’s toughest arena, they’re not allowed anywhere near it.

It’s absolute madness.

Ivan Cleary. Trent Robinson. Ricky Stuart. Craig Fitzgibbon. They’re all locked out.

And it’s also so unfair on the players, who then have to wear the criticism despite not being given the best possible chance to perform at their best.

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Now before anyone points to Queensland under Billy Slater, I’ll acknowledge the obvious contradiction.

Slater is living proof you don’t need to be coaching in the NRL to be a great representative coach.

The bloke could walk into an NRL head coaching job tomorrow if he wanted one.

But history has shown that not all champion players become great coaches.

And with all due respect to the player Laurie Daley was, he has never looked comfortable in this role.

Not during his first stint.

Not now.

And there is something genuinely sad about watching one of the toughest and most respected men to ever pull on the Blue jumper have his reputation torn apart because he keeps being asked to do a job he doesn’t appear equipped to do.

Daley was a magnificent footballer.

Maybe the best who ever played for NSW.

But coaching is a completely different proposition and the results speak for themselves.

As does Laurie’s body language.

Laurie Daley.Source: Getty Images

There has never been a sense of certainty or authority around this Blues side on his watch.

And that is in stark contrast to the confidence, clarity and meticulous planning that was evident when Maguire was in charge.

Say what you want about Madge, but he knows how to get the best players performing at their best.

And he proved it when he went head-to-head with Billy and walked away with a knockout victory.

That’s the frustrating part now.

Because this NSW squad is nowhere near as bad as it looked on Wednesday night.

There is too much talent across the park for them to play as poorly as they did.

And with the right preparation and game plan, this group is capable of performing far better than what we witnessed in Melbourne.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE NSW REVIEW PROMISED LAST YEAR?

The other issue is how the NSWRL has escaped the blowtorch after last year’s disaster.

Dave Trodden assured everyone there would be an extensive review last July.

We were assured lessons would be learned.

Yet the only solid outcome the public heard about was moving the training base from the Blue Mountains to the Central Coast.

Was that really the only issue?

Because from where I’m sitting, the biggest issue remains unresolved.

NSW continues to operate under a system that prevents the best coaches from coaching the best players.

If Ivan Cleary wants the job next year, let him do it.

And if one of the game’s elite club coaches is willing to take on the biggest coaching role in rugby league, NSW should be rolling out the red carpet instead of hiding behind outdated rules.

Cleary has already indicated representative coaching interests him when his Penrith career ends at the end of next season.

But if he’s willing to do it next year, why should NSW wait until 2028?

The best players should be coached by the best coaches.

Until it changes, the Blues can keep changing players, moving training camps and conducting reviews.

But the circus just rolls on.

TEDDY IN THE FIRING LINE

That said, if NSW don’t make mass changes for the decider, they’ll cop the same treatment at Suncorp.

So here’s my suggestions starting at fullback.

It’s not that James Tedesco isn’t a great player, or that he had a shocker in Melbourne.

The simple fact is he and Nathan Cleary just don’t click.

And if Cleary is going to remain the halfback — which he should — Dylan Edwards must be his fullback.

Is it time to bring back Dylan Edwards?Source: Getty Images

The two know each other’s games inside out and there is no doubt Cleary plays his best football when he is comfortable and controlling every aspect of the attack.

Edwards was unlucky to miss out in the first place and his form for Penrith has been outstanding.

On the flip side, Tedesco would have been under enormous pressure had he not scored the winning try in Origin I.

If the Blues are serious about saving the series, dropping Tedesco is the first tough call.

TO’O AND STAGGS MUST GO

Now to the outside backs and as much as it pains me to say this, Brian To’o has to go.

To’o has been a tremendous player for Penrith and NSW, but he simply couldn’t handle Jojo Fifita under the high ball in Melbourne.

Jacob Kiraz deserves a crack if fit.

Like To’o, he’s enormous out of yardage, while his offload creates second-phase and so would add a layer of unpredictability to the Blues’ attack.

Young Jack Bostock should also be in the conversation after getting called onto the extended bench.

As for Kotoni Staggs, he makes way for either Tom Trbojevic or Stephen Crichton, depending who plays best over the next two rounds before the game three team is named.

QLD target To’o with high ball | 00:30

BRING BACK LATRELL

Tolu Koula shifts to the wing if Latrell Mitchell proves his fitness.

My mail is Latrell returns against Parramatta next Thursday night. If he gets through unscathed, he walks straight back in at left centre.

If not, Bradman Best would be next man up with Casey McLean expected to be sidelined for a month.

STRANGE BACK FOR MOSES

I don’t care what they say about Mitchell Moses’ kicking game taking pressure off Nathan Cleary.

The reality is the Blues attack looked pedestrian and nowhere near what it was in the second half of game one when Cleary controlled the game and Strange just ran the bloody ball.

It was the same when Cleary had Jarome Luai beside him at Penrith, or now with Blaize Talagi.

Cleary handled the kicking responsibilities just fine in game one and it brought the best out of him.

But he was nowhere that level in Melbourne and I suspect that’s because he was forced to share control.

It’s not that Cleary is a selfish player. On the contrary, he is the ultimate team player.

But the Blues are at their best when Cleary owns the team.

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Billy on impressive 2nd half thrashing | 11:37

TIME TO GIVE HAUMOLE AN APOLOGY

In the forwards, Cameron Murray starting is non-negotiable and Isaah Yeo shifts to prop.

And Daley needs to swallow his pride and bring Haumole Olakau’atu straight back into the side.

Everyone could see dropping the Manly wrecking ball was a mistake – and the Blues got their receipt at the MCG.

MORE CREATIVITY FROM DUMMY HALF

At hooker, Blayke Brailey should come straight back in if fit, and I’d start him ahead of Reece Robson.

Robson again worked his butt off but he simply doesn’t ask enough questions from dummy half.

I’d keep Api Koroisau on the bench but this time make sure he actually gets on the field.

OTHER FORWARD CHANGES

Victor Radley was excellent in Origin I but let himself down badly in game two with his discipline.

Two penalties almost immediately after entering the game and an error early in the second half probably cost him a spot in the decider.

I’d stick with Dylan Lucas on the bench because he covers both the edge back row and the centres.

As for Mitch Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake, one of them must make way for Jackson Ford.

Whether Daley makes all those changes remains to be seen.

But if the Blues are serious about winning the decider, blind loyalty isn’t an option.