NEW Blues coach Brad Fittler has revealed the first piece of advice NSW’s most successful coach Gus Gould has given him: “Don’t pick your team too early because it only leads to disappointment”.

The Blues new-look brains trust was on hand at the launch of the NSW Intrust Super Premiership at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday, where Fittler was joined by chief adviser Greg Alexander and assistant coach Danny Buderus.

Gould was not on hand but as the most successful NSW coach — winning six series — Gus will act as a key sounding board for Freddy as the Blues look to arrest the Queensland stranglehold.

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So when Fittler was asked about whether he would enter the selection room with any preconceived ideas, the Blues coach responded: “Completely open mind. The great Gus Gould taught me that.

“Don’t pick your team too early it only leads to disappointment.”

Brad Fittler has been tasked with leading the Blues out of the doldrums, and speculation about what team he might pick has already begun. Source: News Corp Australia

Questioned about exactly what role Gould would play for the Blues, Fittler said: “There’s not a role he’s just someone to talk to. He’s got a lot of experience at all levels of coaching.

“I always go back to his initial piece of advice which is don’t pick your team now because game one is not until June and it only leads to disappointment.

“He’ll just be there as a sounding board and I’m sure he’ll drive me mad at some stage.

“He’s good. He always gives good advice.”

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Fittler has a brilliant insight into the resilience of the NSW supporter base courtesy of his annual Blues Hogs for the Homeless motorbike ride around NSW.

The Blues legend recently returned from his sixth tour of regional and country NSW, where the Blues faithful reinforced what’s at stake when it comes to the beast that is State of Origin football.

Gould and Fittler teamed up during Gus’s hugely successful stint as the Blues’ coach. Source: News Corp Australia

“A lot of them just wish you good luck and then say make sure you win,” Fittler said.

“It was in that order normally.”

Fittler confirmed he had spoken to a core group of NSW representative players and given them the key message to start ‘tis season with a bang.

“I just told them what’s expected. And like I said, it all comes back to the players.

“We need to start well. For all the players who are in contention — and there’s a lot there too — they all look like they’re fit. That’s a good start.”

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