Tyson Frizell’s Origin hopes take hit as Sharks down Dragons 22-9
Bronson Xerri will never forget this one. But Tyson Frizell? Expect things to be far more blurry for the St George Illawarra enforcer following a head knock in his side’s 22-9 loss to rivals Cronulla.
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Josh Morris thought his Origin career had ended three years ago, on a nondescript Coffs Harbour training paddock.
It was days out from Origin II, 2016.
With the NSW Blues running an opposed session at their North Coast HQ.
“Which is when I strained my groin,” Morris recalled on Sunday night, stood outside the away sheds at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
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“So I pulled out, missed the game. And that was it.
“Jack Bird got called up ...”.
Which is when you subsequently retired from Origin footy, right?
“Yeah I was,” the Cronulla centre continued. “When I got asked about Origin the next pre-season, I said it was time for someone else to have a go ... so that was it.”
Or so we thought.
On a Sunday afternoon where the heroes where everywhere for Cronulla - think rookie winger Bronson Xerri scoring three, fullback Matt Moylan starring after seven weeks off, or young playmaker Kyle Flanagan producing the play of the day - it was ageing centre Morris who stole the headlines.
And not for the way he played against St George Illawarra, but because three years after thinking his Blues career was done at 14 Origin appearances, the 32-year-old suddenly finds himself resurrected by NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler.
The announcement capped of a strong day for the Sharkies, who stormed home to beat a depleted Dragons outfit and retain the Monty Porter Cup in their annual local derby.
FREDDY CALLS
Morris said it was a fortnight ago when Fittler first quizzed him on coming out of Origin retirement.
“But I missed it,” he said.
“Then when I rang back, Freddy was getting a haircut.”
And when you finally spoke?
“I said that if someone put their hand up in the next couple of weeks, pick them,” Morris said. “But if you need somebody to do a job then I’ll gladly do it for you.
“And who knows, it could be one game it could be three.
“I’m going in with a completely different mindset to what I used to have. I used to put so much pressure on myself. This could be my last one so I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”
THREE FOR XERRI
Winger Xerri continued his outstanding rookie season on Sunday afternoon in Wollongong, bagging a hat-trick. Fellow young gun Flanagan also starred, coming up with arguably the play of the game - kicking long on the third tackle, and from inside his own half, for a play that would eventually give the Shire 18-year-old his third touchdown.
“He’s found a few of those plays over the past month too,” coach John Morris said afterwards.
MOYLAN BACK
After being sidelined for seven weeks with a bung hamstring, Moylan starred at fullback - orchestrating two key tries for his young outside back.
And the first, after seven minutes, was a belter.
Being passed a ball by halfback Chad Townsend, Moylan moved outside Dragons centre Tim Lafai while the Steeden was floating through the air to eventually set up a try for Xerri.
“He was great Matty, brings that X-Factor,” Morris said. “The boys have a lot more confidence with him in our side. He spent seven weeks in the sideline with a pretty decent hamstring injury so your heart is in your mouth about when is the right time for him to play. He could’ve played last week but I’m happy with our decision to rest to get a better outcome today.”
Obviously he ad a few errors with his timing which you expected.
“But he brings such a nice balance to our team.
Helps our halves be more compsed
While Xerri walked out of WIN Stadium with a hattrick, the young flyer had plenty to thank for it.
Take his first, with only seven minutes gone fullback Moylan, who has missed the past seven weeks, announced his return in outstanding fashion.
Then in the second half, it was Sharkies five-eighth Kyle Flanagan who kicked bravely on the third tackle, and from inside his own half, for what would eventually be Xerri’s second.
And just on Flanagan, the kid was outstanding.
Undoubtedly set to provide some headcahes for coach John Morris when Warriors recruit Shaun Johnson returns from injury.
And as for Xerri’s third?
That was a sweeping play where Moylan threw the last pass for Xerri’s third.
Originally published as Tyson Frizell’s Origin hopes take hit as Sharks down Dragons 22-9
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