FIFO Worker: Strange plots plan to watch Ethan's Origin debut

Airline schedules are crucial in NRLW premiership and Origin-winning coach John Strange's life when it comes to his son, Ethan Strange.

There were mad dashes in and out of airports to watch Ethan's NRL debut in August 2023, when he was picked at centre for the Raiders to play the Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

There will be more mayhem getting from the Blues women's camp at the Gold Coast to Sydney next Wednesday to watch Ethan's Origin debut against Queensland at Accor Stadium before returning the next morning to coach NSW in Game Three of the 2026 series at Cbus Super Stadium.

Westpac NSW Blues named for Game I

"My plan is we have our Captain's Run on Wednesday morning at the Gold Coast and after lunch I'll jump on a flight to Sydney and come and watch the men's game," he told NRL.com

"I'll stay the night in Sydney and then get on a plane first thing and fly back to Coolangatta.

"When he made his NRL debut I was supposed to be coaching the Roosters against Cronulla in NRLW, just two hours before Ethan's game in Melbourne. So I raced down there and coached the Roosters by satellite, radios, and such, and then raced to AAMI Park to watch him play.

"So I don't want to miss this either."

Suffice to say Ethan appreciates the efforts of his father, whose weekly diary during footy season resembles that of a government minister.

"I'm extremely proud of what Ethan is achieving because I know how hard he works to get there. I'm also proud of who he is outside of being a footy player. He's a really caring, genuine human being, who is good to everyone he meets."

The fact Ethan is only 21 doesn't figure at all in his ability to handle the Origin occasion, according to his father.

"He doesn't get stressed. He's just relaxed and cruisey. After coaching him for a long, long time as he was growing up, he doesn't have highs and lows in the game - he's very level.

"He reminds me of Cameron Smith's mindset of being calm and doing what you need to do to win a game. That might not be the best analogy at Origin time, but there you have it."

Strange is embracing the chance to learn from starting halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses as his role during next week's State of Origin opener comes into focus.

Strange continues to shine

The youngster will provide injury cover for the pair while he also shapes as coach Laurie Daley's X-factor with the game hanging in the balance in the second half.

After helping steer the Raiders to the minor premiership last season, Strange earned selection in the Kangaroos Ashes squad, where he first connected with Cleary and Moses.

This week's reunion has provided Strange another opportunity to learn alongside the pair, with the youngster set to be thrust into the action if either player goes down with injury on Wednesday night.

“They’re two really great blokes,” Strange said.

“They’re always willing to lend a helping hand.

“The more time I spend around quality players like that, the better it’s going to be for me and my football.”

Strange was back on the Central Coast, enjoying the Raiders’ bye round with his partner when Daley called to deliver the news.

It was fitting the 21-year-old was at home when the call came, given the hours the youngster has spent on the family's three-acre block working on his craft.

The property originally held an equestrian ring, which John quickly converted into a modified rugby league field, complete with floodlights and goalposts. It quickly became Ethan's own field of dreams.

Ethan Strange Try

"The first year we played NRL when he was only 19 he came home to the Central Coast and the next day he was out on the footy field training," John Strange said.

"He had just played a full season of NRL and was out there doing sprint training. I suggested having a rest and he said 'I want to be able to track with any sweeping fullback in the NRL'.

"He's an obsessive kid. If he feels like there's something he needs to be better at, he'll be out there all day and night. I've got lights on the footy field because of all the times he was out there at night trying to do extras."

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