Jake Friend set to play in NRL grand final despite not having played a full game since round 1

Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend is among the most courageous players in the NRL. Yet, ahead of the season decider, you won’t guess how long it’s been since he actually survived a full game.

There’s no doubt of Friend’s quality — but is he a gamble? Photo: Phil Hillyard

• Grand final specialist set to leap into record books
• 34 thoughts for 34 grand final players

Roosters co-captain Jake Friend is firming to play in Sunday’s NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium — despite having not played out an entire game of footy since round one.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal, if cleared by Tricolours medical staff, Friend will take on Canberra boasting just 249 minutes of game time for the season.

In comparison, Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith has churned through 2097 minutes.

Replay the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final in full on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

This was the last time Friend went the distance. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Sidelined since round 18 with an ongoing calf problem, Friend has played only five games in total this year, and only two since Round 7.

According to the Fox Sports Lab, the gritty 29-year-old has not survived a full 80 minutes since way back in the season opener, when the reigning premiers lost to South Sydney 26-16 at the SCG.

Should Roosters coach Trent Robinson roll the dice and play his co-captain, it will be his second such gamble in as many years — having also started star No.7 Cooper Cronk in last year’s decider with fractured shoulder blade.

Friend at training, with his calf supported. Photo: Brett Costello

On Monday afternoon, Friend jogged onto the SCG for a light training run with a compression sock over his dodgy right calf.

According to Robinson, his skipper was extremely close to playing in last Saturday night’s win over the Melbourne Storm, which would suggest another seven days will see him right.

As the week goes on, it is also understood both Friend and Roosters medicos are growing increasingly confident in his fitness — with the bigger question now becoming how a player with so little game time handles what shapes as a frenetic Homebush clash.

Especially too, in the most demanding position anywhere on the field.

LISTEN! In the season finale, Matty Johns is joined by James Hooper and Paul Kent to go over this Sunday’s grand final, plus how the build-up to the NRL’s biggest weekend can weigh on the favoured team (and how the Roosters are counteracting it!).

Timing, fitness, even the rugby league version of “ring rust”, it all comes into play.

That, and who falls off the Tricolours bench.

Certainly with Friend sidelined, replacement hooker Sam Verrills has been a standout for the reigning premiers, prompting suggestions the coach may choose to play both and omit, say, Nat Butcher.

Regardless, the Roosters captain has already been quoted publicly saying he is not only confident of facing the Raiders, but has vowed to push through all 80 minutes if required.

There’s no doubt of Friend’s quality — but is he a gamble? Photo: Phil Hillyard

MORE NEWS

Green giant keeps Cronk on the job

Teddy ready to join the greats

Yet according to those Fox Sports Lab numbers, Friend has so far done that only once in what has been a horrible year for injuries.

Again, in round one.

Next best figures for the rake as those 70 minutes he played against St George Illawarra in round seven.

Yet since that game, Friend has failed to survive even one whole game of footy, playing 58 minutes against the Gold Coast in round 17 and then just eight minutes against Newcastle in round 18.

He hasn’t played since.

Originally published as Jake Friend set to play in NRL grand final despite not having played a full game since round 1