‘We’re hoping players get picked’: Souths aren’t fazed by Origin period

The out-of-form South Sydney Rabbitohs aren’t stressing about the Origin period’s potential to deplete their stocks.

Johnston said the Rabbitohs weren’t losing sleep over the Origin period and its potential to derail the side’s finals tilt. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

Try-scoring wizard Alex Johnston says the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs aren’t worried the Origin period is coming around just as their season is threatening to implode.

Last year’s runners-up have been far from convincing this season and most recently suffered a hefty defeat at the hands of the Canberra Raiders, who missed the finals last year and had previously only won four games for the season.

Things aren’t about to get any easier for Souths, whose tenuous hold on the top eight could become even looser when the Origin period depletes their stocks.

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Hardworking hooker Damien Cook and – when he recovers from injury – Cameron Murray are both locks for Origin selection, while the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi and Jai Arrow are also considered strong chances to be called up.

The Rabbitohs have a bye ahead of Origin I, but their Origin stars could miss an away clash with the Titans and a match-up with heavyweights Parramatta if they’re rested immediately after the first two games of the series.

The Rabbitohs are only inside the eight on points differential. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

But far from fretting about the potential for the Origin period to further derail their season, Johnston says the Rabbitohs are eager to see their players called up for state duty.

Johnston named Campbell Graham as a potential debutant for the Blues, who are looking to fill two centre spots for Game One now that Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic have been ruled out.

“We’re hoping a few guys get picked, a few new guys. I think Campbell Graham deserves a centre spot there,” he said.

“We hope guys like him get a crack. Whatever happens, whatever players have to come in, we’ll come out and get the job done.”

Cook has been NSW’s first-choice hooker since 2018 but said Fittler didn’t owe him anything heading into this year’s series.

“One thing Freddy did when he came in in 2018 was he picked on form,” he said.

“I think that’s why we won the series that year as well.

“You rent the jersey. You get the jersey on game one, if you’re lucky, and you give it back after each game.

“I love playing in that team and I love being a part of it so if I get that opportunity again, that’d be awesome but we’ve got one more South Sydney game before the team is picked.”

Cook supported Johnston’s view that Graham deserved to be selected.

“He’s our best player this year, by far,” Cook said.

“There’s no doubt he’d do a great job. I’d love to see him there.”

Johnston and Cook are urging NSW coach Brad Fittler to consider Campbell Graham for selection. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

Without Adam Reynolds to steer the ship, the Rabbitohs have struggled for cohesion in attack this year.

A long-term injury to influential fullback Latrell Mitchell hasn’t helped their case, but Johnston refuses to blame injuries for the side’s lukewarm form.

“We don’t want any excuses about the ins and outs of the team. It’s not the footy we want to be playing,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve actually put together 80 minutes.

“We’re getting our combos right, still; having a new halves combo there. I think our attack’s just not flowing as it did last year.”

The Rabbitohs desperately need to beat the Wests Tigers to maintain their spot in the top eight and rebuild their confidence.

“All it takes is one big game,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to this week. I’m pretty sure this week we’ll be back on track.”

Originally published as ‘We’re hoping players get picked’: Souths aren’t fazed by Origin period