MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Laurie Daley needs to be tougher in his approach to coaching this State of Origin series

There’s not many people in rugby league who don’t have an enemy, but Laurie Daley is an exception to the rule.

He is one of the best blokes in the game and, dare I say it, was maybe just a touch too nice during his five years as Blues coach from 2013-17.

Yes, he was up against the best Queensland side we’ve ever seen in the middle of a decade of dominance.

But I reckon he would have done a few things a lot differently had he had his time over again.

Laurie stayed loyal to a number of players who didn’t repay the favour and was probably guilty of listening to too many people rather than going with his gut.

From what I am seeing and hearing, Laurie Daley 2.0 is a much different model.

I’m told he was all set to leave Jake Trbojevic out of the NSW side and name a new skipper for Origin I before the Manly forward suffered a concussion on the weekend and was ruled out anyway.

The fact the coach was prepared to go down that road suggests to me we’re going to see a more ruthless and decisive Daley the second time around.

The potential axing of Trbojevic signals to me that there will be no more Mr Nice Guy.

Sure, Jurbo’s omission would not have been a great shock given his form this season on the back of limited minutes in last year’s Origin series.

But I’m not sure the old Laurie would have pulled the trigger.

I can’t think of the last series-winning skipper to not only lose the captaincy but also his spot – has there been one? – but that was definitely on the cards.

They used to say never change a winning formula but that’s gone the way of the dinosaur.

People change their opinions like underpants these days and I like the fact Daley has kept an open mind and remained flexible.

Omitting Tom Trbojevic makes sense and I like Mitchell Moses at five-eighth, even though it breaks up the old Penrith scrumbase duo of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

Max King’s selection on the bench is a beauty.

I love the way this guy rips into his work with the Bulldogs and he looks like he was born to play Origin.

The rest of the squad has been there, done that and won’t take a backward step.

I’m told Laurie’s approach to the pre-game build-up will be a whole lot different this time around as well.

The lack of major leaks over who he will select and who he will leave out tells me he’s playing a smarter game and not giving Queensland any early insight into his thinking and planning.

He’s also blocking out the external noise and not taking advice from those outside the inner sanctum.

In his first stint as coach, Loz had so many influential people in his ear that he needed three phones to handle all the calls.

It’s clear he is going to do it his way the second time around, with some invaluable help and guidance from the great Craig Bellamy.

There will be no room for regrets.

As for the Queensland side, it’s quality from one through 17.

The Maroons will try to claim underdog status as usual, but don’t fall for it.

After losing last year’s series, they will be a very dangerous beast and have the advantage of playing game one at home and game two in neutral territory in Perth.

Ah Origin ... Christmas time for league fans.

Bring it on!