Downed 26-18 in Adelaide by the never-say-die Queenslanders, Fittler will have to consider radical changes if he is to avoid defeat at Suncorp Stadium on June 21 and extend his tenure into 2024.
Fittler wanted his side to be more aggressive and powerful after they were intimidated off the park in last year's decider.
The NSW coach picked the untried duo of Hudson Young and Tevita Pangai Jr in the pack and neither were able to impose themselves on the game.
They also lacked the intimidating presence of Latrell Mitchell after the bulldozing centre was ruled out on Monday with a calf injury.
"It's a fair way away," Fittler said of his team selection for Game II.
"We'll see what happens in a couple of weeks, we'll go from there.
"I'll catch up with him (Mitchell) over the next couple of days, he sent the boys a message and said things were going pretty good - hopefully he's fit and ready to be picked."
Question marks over the potential selection of Mitchell, Pangai Jr and Young will cause Fittler plenty of consternation over the next fortnight before he names his squad for Game II.
NSW have never saved a series by winning in Queensland in Origin's 41-year history.
The stakes are high for Fittler on a personal level too, because if he wins a series he will earn himself a contract extension.
Young, for his part, is hopeful he will have done enough to retain his spot and help the Blues keep their hopes of lifting the shield alive.
"It wasn't the result we wanted but it was a massive step for me in my career," the Canberra forward told AAP.
"There are a lot of lessons we can take from it.
"I made a costly error trying a one-on-one strip.
"I'd like to think I've done enough, it was my first Origin game and I know the type of player I am and I hope the coaching staff back me."
Adding to the Blues' concerns is the fact centre Tom Trbojevic failed his head injury assessment and, due to Manly's schedule, won't have a game to prove his fitness.
Trbojevic was hit high by Tom Flegler late in the game and the Maroons prop will escape suspension after being charged on Thursday.
There will also be a focus on Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes, who was promised a run at hooker on debut, but only got onto the field when covering for Trbojevic at centre.
"There was always the option at hooker, but I thought Api (Koroisau) was doing a good job there," Fittler said.
The Blues host the third and final game of the series at Sydney's Accor Stadium on 12 July.
