NSW's State of Origin selection adviser Greg Alexander concedes it will only be a matter of time before Nathan Cleary takes the next step in his representative career as he comes to terms with the "shock" of being parachuted into the Blues fold again.
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One of the game's most astute thinkers will lend a hand to incoming NSW coach Brad Fittler, who has wasted no time formalising his backroom staff.
His old Penrith captain Alexander will act as his right-hand man and sounding board while juggling his commitments with Fox Sports, with fellow NSW greats Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus expected to be drafted in as assistants.
The state's most successful coach Phil Gould will have an unofficial role providing guidance to first-time Origin coach Fittler.
Gould stressed earlier this year he would be unwilling to release Cleary to be part of the NSW set-up under the previous regime which he labelled as "a dog's breakfast", but Alexander knows better than most the ability of Penrith's star No.7.
Alexander swapped a boardroom suit for a training shirt earlier this year to work hands-on with Penrith's playmakers, including Cleary, who is expected to rocket into Origin calculations given NSW's misgivings late in game two of this series and a lacklustre defeat in the decider.
Asked about Cleary's progression into the NSW side, Alexander said: "He's an outstanding talent. You don't need me to say that.
"For a 19-year-old it's remarkable how he handles pressure. Right from his opening 10 games it was pretty clear Nathan would be a representative player. It's just a matter of when it happens."
That time to wear his first sky blue senior jumper might be 2018 with incumbent Mitchell Pearce to start afresh in Newcastle after asking the Roosters for a release following Cooper Cronk's capture.
Alexander has ridden the NSW lows as much as any other fan during Queensland's 11 series wins in the last 12 years and admitted he was stunned when Fittler approached him to take on Sterling's role.
"I've spent most Origins at home watching it with my boys," he said. "It's probably one of my only chances to sit down and watch football throughout the season without working.
"I've sat in the lounge room and I've screamed at the TV and celebrated like any other fan. I hadn't thought about [being involved] to be honest. It was a shock, but I did get pretty excited when Freddie asked.
"I'm there to assist Freddie to talk about things and I don't need to leave my footprint. I just need to come up with ideas and throw things at him. There will be other people we bring into camp like Joey and Danny and Gus will be there to talk to."
Fittler is yet to decide how NSW's preparations will evolve with games scattered across the eastern seaboard in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next year.
But after the Blues unveiled new front-of-jersey sponsor Brydens Lawyers, Fittler has quickly filled the role previously held by Sterling and Bob Fulton.
"Greg was there for me at the start. He was my captain at Penrith when we won the competition," Fittler said. "He has been a mentor of mine for the whole of my career. He is the person who I trust most, not only about football, but about everything."
