Nobody gets anywhere in sports without a bit of luck.

A bounce of the ball can decide a game.

That game a career. 

They say you create your own luck, and at times, it's true. An extra bit of effort to be there for that bouncing ball might be the difference between winning and losing. However, sometimes Lady Luck hands you a gift on a plate.

While Brad Fittler's fingerprints are all over the New South Wales Blues and their resurgence following a decade of losing, he's been dining out at Lady Luck's buffet in this series. 

Injuries forced his hand and a suspension has made the correct decision for him, but Fittler's luck could all run out with the selection of the most-maligned player in Origin history for Game 3.

See Stats Insider's State of Origin Game 3 Projections

Fittler's Form Changes

The biggest talking point in between Game 1 and 2 was the dumping of Latrell Mitchell.

It's since been done to death with nobody 100% sure why or which plays caused Fittler to make the decision. All we know is Mitchell's effort levels weren't up to standard, and he's lost his place as a result. Despite throwing the crucial interception in Game 1, Jack Wighton replaced Mitchell in the centres. Relatively untested in the Game 2 thumping, we don't yet know the scale of this massive selection change.

Similar to Mitchell, Angus Crichton's form hasn't been up to scratch at club level, and it transferred into Origin. Loyalty was enough to keep Crichton in the side for Game 1, but a decidedly average and ineffective 51 minutesforced Fittler's hand. Tariq Sims didn't blow anybody away in his 25 minutes spell in Game 2. He provides the sort of physicality the Blues bench otherwise lacked, though.

Despite doing nothing wrong in Game 1, Josh Morris lost his spot to Tom Trbojevic. Tommy Turbo is one of those players you force into a side and figure out his role later. In the end, Fittler used him to perfection with the fullback turned centre popping up in the middle of the field with regularity to score three tries, break four tackles and run for 118 metres.

Controversial and somewhat risky in their own right, all three changes were Fittler's doing and all three have paid dividends so far in the series. 

Incoming Through Injury

Needing to deal with injuries as well as form, the changes kept coming.

Nick Cotric's injury ruled him out of Game 2 allowing the Blake Ferguson redemption tour to continue. The Eels winger found 170 running metres in a relatively easy night for the Blues wingers in Game 2.

David Klemmer's broken hand kept him from playing in Perth with Daniel Saifiti handed what is still a mind-boggling opportunity to debut. Good without being great, Saifiti did a job and remarkably kept his place in the first-choice side for the decider.

A questionable decision for the series opener considering he's only 19-years old with just ten games of first-grade experience, Payne Haas' injury brought Dale Finucane into the side. Made for Origin, many have been calling for Finucane to wear the sky blue for years. He's consistent and reliable. As good as Haas looks this early in his career, he doesn't carry those traits just yet.

Finucane ended up starting the match and playing exactly how most anticipated. He took tough carries for his 88 running metres on ten runs while making 16 of his 17 attempted tackles.

Despite it being forced upon him through injury, it's a change Fittler lucked into.

Falling Into Place

Introducing Finucane to Origin is only the beginning of Fittler's lucky run.

Hung out to dry, poor Cody Walker barely received a mention in the potential Game 2 side. Far from the reason the Blues failed to win Game 1, Walker was appointed as the scapegoat when he was hooked in the 56th minute.

It's when luck became a significant factor in how Game 2 was played and the shape of the series heading into the decider.

With Walker not part of Fittler's plans, he turned to every half in the NRL before landing on James Maloney. He went as far to joke about Braith Anasta making a comeback before handing Maloney the keys to the side. There were plenty out there calling for Maloney and his surplus of experience in winning football sides to be out there for Game 1. Those pundits ended up justified in their calls.

Maloney orchestrated a 38-6 victory by getting his hands on the ball 47 times (more than anybody not wearing number nine), handing out two try assists, and providing the Blues with the direction they so desperately lacked in Game 1.

In hindsight, picking Maloney was a no-brainer. It's a selection Fittler fell into, though.

Fittler's luck continued into the early stages of camp for Game 3.

Leaving out the best prop in Australia in the name of loyalty, a fairly soft suspension for Sims is the only reason Klemmer is in the side. Undoubtedly the best on the field for the Blues in Game 1, to then leave him out under the semblance of loyalty was nothing short of foolish.

"It doesn't come down to talent, it just comes down to how hard they want to go."

Nevermind the fact Klemmer found 149 running metres and made 30 tackles with a broken hand before the Blues fell apart once he left the field in Game 1, Freddy needed another stroke of luck to get this selection right.

It's an unfortunate scenario for Sims, but the Blues are a better side for his questionable suspension.

Lucky or Legendary

It's quite remarkable that Fittler needed external influences to get Klemmer into the team for Game 3, but those influences are being pushed to the brink now. 

Nathan Cleary has been largely ineffective throughout his Origin career. Yet to have a standout performance or even connect on a try assist, his age and potential seem to be the reason he continued to retain his spot in the side before being ruled out due to injury.

Does that sound familiar?

A young half selected for the Blues under the guise of potential?

In a remarkable turn of events, Mitchell Pearce is back in the Origin fold.

Fittler's luck is really being tested here.

He either cashes in on Pearce playing the best football of his career and guiding the team to victory in the decider. Or, that luck runs out with the seven-time series loser falling short in a Game 3 for the eighth time in his career and seventh in match that decides the winner of the series.

Forget dumping Mitchell after Game 1; this is the biggest decision Fittler has made in his Origin coaching career.

It could well define his career depending on Wednesday's result.

So, how is it all going to work?

Pearce's combination with Maloney is crucial and will determine which side of the lucky or legend ledger Fittler falls on.

Most would expect Maloney to take over, but with Pearce talking about his ability to "run a team" and "steer the boys around", it appears as though the two will take on traditional five-eighth and halfback roles in this one. 

The pair combined to win the 2013 NRL Grand Final with the Roosters by playing on both sides of the field. Their respective form heading into this one doesn't align with that style, though.

Maloney and the Blues thrived in the second half when he was the main man. Playing with a willing Wade Graham in the halves, Maloney directed traffic, popped up on both sides of the field, and made the right plays when needed throughout his 50 possessions on the night. 

Meanwhile, Pearce has dominated for the Knights by playing both sides of the field. With make-shift five-eighth's rotating in and out of the Newcastle number six jersey all season, he's not had much choice. Excluding dummy halves behind the ruck, no player records more possessions than Pearce's 66.2 per game. 

With Maloney a proven performer as a leading half at Origin level and Pearce earning a recall through his hands-on approach at the Knights, compromise and communication is key.

Will Maloney and Pearce have enough time to get on the same page and play out a series-winning performance?

Or, will the demons return to Pearce's game and derail what is potentially the start of a lengthy Blues dynasty?

Go to our full State of Origin Game 3 Projections

If luck is truly on Fittler's side, Pearce starts this new chapter and changes the narrative by playing the game of his life. It could well be a career-defining night for the pair of them if that luck has run out, though.

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