The Maroons have a preparation advantage as Laurie Daley sweats on the fitness of stars playing in Eels vs Bulldogs

Up to 14 NSW players have, or will, play games on Sunday or Monday in round 14. It’s a huge leg-up for Billy Slater’s Maroons, who have been handed extra recovery time, writes DEAN RITCHIE. See the likely NSW team inside.

Mitch Moses still has to get through the Bulldogs game. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Lucky Queensland has been handed a free-hit 48 to 96 hour advantage over NSW in the countdown to team announcements for State of Origin II in Perth.

Up to 14 NSW players have, or will, play games on Sunday or Monday in round 14 with nearly all of Maroons squad members having played either Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

That means some Queensland players have been inadvertently given an additional two to four days in their recovery and rehabilitation than NSW stars.

In a quirk of fate, NSW had eight players contesting NRL games on Sunday and a further four more stars playing on the King’s Monday.

Add extended NSW bench players and that number lands at 14.

Latrell Mitchell and Hudson Young went head-to-head. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Unbelievably, Queensland has just one player who played over the final two days of round 14 – Canterbury’s Kurt Mann, a possible bench player.

Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga finished his NRL game for Newcastle on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs-Eels game won Monday will include four NSW players – Parramatta’s Mitch Moses and Zac Lomax and Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton and Max King. The Bulldogs’ Matt Burton is also expected to be named in the NSW 21-man squad.

A try scorer on Sunday, South Sydney Keaon Koloamatangi - among the NRL’s form front-rower - is also a Blues bench chance.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is enduring a stressful wait to determine whether any of players sustain late injuries while Queensland coach Billy Slater is sitting back relaxing.

Eight players emerged unscathed from two NRL big games on Sunday with Daley to name his side for State of Origin II by midday on Monday.

Nathan Cleary finished the Tigers game unscathed. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Daley will announce an extended squad to cover for any possible injuries from Canterbury’s blockbuster against Parramatta.

Blues players Hudson Young (Canberra), Latrell Mitchell along with Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards were uninjured in their Sunday NRL matches.

Young, placed on report for a high shot Souths’ Bud Sullivan, limped from the field in Canberra’s win over Souths but it was initially thought to be cramp.

NSW’s extended bench is set to include Burton, Graham and Haumole Olakau’atu.

At this stage, Daley will be forced to make just one change through injury – replacing injured prop Mitch Barnett.

Given he was part of NSW’ camp for Origin I, Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu is the likely replacement although the Blues coaching staff are also considering Koloamatangi and Wests Tigers’ Terrell May.

Laurie Daley still has a big game to get through. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Daley will bring additional players into camp to run as defence.

Slater will name his side at 9am on Monday and hold a media conference 30 minutes later.

NSW players will come together at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday before heading to their training camp in Leura on Tuesday.

Players from the Bulldogs-Eels game will join the squad on Tuesday.

The Blues’ media day, normally held at NSWRL headquarters inside Sydney Olympic Park, will now be held in the Blue Mountains.

Originally published as The Maroons have a preparation advantage as Laurie Daley sweats on the fitness of stars playing in Eels vs Bulldogs