The highly anticipated State of Origin is here, leading to a period of upheaval in club football over the next six weeks. With squads announced for both New South Wales and Queensland, coaches are now hurriedly seeking replacements for players absent due to representative duties. Additionally, injury worries plague several teams, namely the Bulldogs and Roosters, just as the competition heats up.
In Round 12, the following matches are lined up:
Thursday: Canterbury Bulldogs take on the Dolphins at Accor Stadium (7:50 pm). Due to Origin commitments, the Bulldogs will miss Stephen Crichton, Max King, and Kurt Mann. However, they welcome back Sam Hughes and Josh Curran, with Blake Wilson set to fill in on the wing. The Dolphins, on the other hand, face the loss of Tom Gilbert (pectoral injury) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, adjusting their line-up as well.
Friday: The Parramatta Eels will clash with the Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium (8 pm). The Eels will be without Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax due to their selection for NSW, while the Sea Eagles lose captain Daly Cherry-Evans to Origin duties, creating opportunities for other players to step in.
Saturday: The Penrith Panthers host the Newcastle Knights at Carrington Park (5:30 pm). The Panthers are significantly affected by Origin absences, with stars such as Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o missing out. Similarly, the Knights will have to adapt, as Kalyn Ponga prepares for Maroons camp, potentially shifting their team structure.
Later that day, the Sydney Roosters face the Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium (7:35 pm). The Roosters are severely impacted by injuries, missing several key players, including Lindsay Collins and Connor Watson. The Sharks also anticipate some adjustments but remain largely unaffected by Origin departures.
Sunday: The New Zealand Warriors meet the Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium (4:05 pm). The Warriors will miss Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris for various reasons, while the Raiders welcome back Simi Sasagi to their starting line-up following Hudson Young’s Origin commitment.
As teams navigate these challenges, fans can expect an exciting round of matches with plenty of unexpected twists as rookie talents and seasoned players alike step into crucial roles.