Origin health check: Every NRL club’s Origin players and who will need to step up to fill the gap
The NRL is about to be turned on its head during the Origin period and James Tedesco’s axing spells trouble for North Queensland in round 13. Check out how your club will be impacted by Origin over the next two months inside.
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The nine -week rollercoaster that is State of Origin is upon the NRL.
Form teams like the Roosters, Broncos and Panthers will lose a heap of stars to representative duty across the three-game series, with only good roster management to save them from slipping down the ladder in the meantime.
But every team has at least one player in the mix to play Origin this year and we take a look at how each club will handle it based on roster depth and existing injuries, as well as the key man to get them through the period.
PENRITH
Draw: Sharks (A), Dragons (H), Sea Eagles (H), Knights (A), bye, Cowboys (H) Broncos (A), bye, Dolphins (H)
Origin players: Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards
Casualty ward: Nathan Cleary (hamstring), Brad Schneider (knee)
Reinforcements: Jack Cole, Soni Luke, Matt Eisenhuth, Daine Laurie, Jesse McLean, Mavrik Geyer, Tyrone Peachey
Key man: James Fisher-Harris
The Panthers are used to managing the Origin period, but with two halfbacks down it gets a bit tricky. Kiwis enforcer James Fisher-Harris will hold it down until the Origin crew returns.
STORM
Draw: bye, Knights (H), Warriors (A), Dolphins (A), Raiders (H), Tigers (A), bye, Roosters (H)
Origin players: Xavier Coates, Harry Grant
Casualty ward: Jahrome Hughes (calf, round 12), Tepai Moeroa (back, round 12), Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle, round 14), Cameron Munster (groin, round 21), Jonah Pezet (ACL, season)
Reinforcements: Grant Anderson, Sua Fa’alogo, Tyran Wishart, Bronson Garlick, Alec MacDonald, Kane Bradley, Young Tonumaipea
Key man: Tyran Wishart
With Munster out for the series, Coates and Grant are the other Origin players the club will need to replace. Grant Anderson has displayed his versatility, as has Sua Fa’alogo, while Tyran Wishart has shown he’s up for the job.
SHARKS
Draw: Eels (A), Broncos (A), Dolphins (H), bye, Bulldogs (A), Titans (H), Tigers (H), bye
Origin players: Nicho Hynes, Cameron McInnes
Casualty ward: Toby Rudolf (knee, round 14), Jesse Colquhoun (foot, indefinite)
Reinforcements: Braydon Trindall, Blake Hosking, Michael Gabrael, Mawene Hiroti
Key man: Will Kennedy
Star halfback Nicho Hynes is the big one for Cronulla, while Cam McInnes is in a Blues jerseys too. Fullback Will Kennedy will need to step up his leadership, while Braydon Trindall could find himself back in first grade.
BULLDOGS
Draw: Knights (A), Eels (H), bye, Roosters (A), Sharks ((H), Warriors (H), bye, Cowboys (A)
Origin players: Matt Burton (reserves), Stephen Crichton
Casualty ward: Daniel Suluka-Fifita (knee, round 12), Ryan Sutton, (knee, round 12), Chris Patolo (knee, round 14), Viliame Kikau (finger, round 17)
Reinforcements: Toby Sexton, Blake Wilson, Connor Tracey, Jeral Skelton, Jake Turpin
Key man: Toby Sexton
Sexton played for the Bulldogs for the first time last week and it was good timing. Matt Burton is 18th man for the Blues but Sexton will have to lead the team if he gets a last-minute call up.
KNIGHTS
Draw: Bulldogs (H), Storm (A), Panthers (H), bye, Eels (H), Raiders (A), Sea Eagles (A), Broncos (H)
Origin players: Nil
Casualty ward: Daniel Saifiti (suspension, round 13), Kalyn Ponga (foot, round 22), Bradman Best (hamstring, tbc), Tyson Gamble (foot, tbc)
Reinforcements: Krystian Mapapalangi, Tom Jenkins, Jed Cartwright, Mat Croker, Paul Bryan
Key man: David Armstrong
Weirdly enough, the Knights are already without Kalyn Ponga but his replacement David Armstrong proves just as crucial. They are otherwise unimpacted, which is a plus for coach Adam O’Brien.
RAIDERS
Draw: Dolphins (A), bye, Cowboys (H), Tigers (A), Storm (A), Knights (H), bye, Warriors (H)
Origin players: Hudson Young
Casualty ward: Corey Horsburgh (groin, round 12), Zac Hosking (shoulder, round 21), Jamal Fogarty (biceps, round 20), Pasami Saulo (back, indefinite), Corey Harawira-Naera (indefinite)
Reinforcements: Noah Martin, Hohepa Puru, Peter Hola
Key man: Ethan Strange
The Raiders can take a hit up front, but they have healthy depth with young guns Noah Martin, Hohepa Puru and Peter Hola waiting for their chance. In the meantime, five-eighth Ethan Strange will be key to getting them through unscathed.
TITANS
Draw: bye, Rabbitohs (H), Tigers (A), Warriors (H), bye, Sharks (A), Eels (H), Sea Eagles (A)
Origin players: Moeaki Fotuaika
Casualty ward: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee, season), Jaimin Jolliffe (pec, TBC), AJ Brimson (groin, round 18), Harley Smith-Shields (pec, round 17), Tanah Boyd (wrist, round 16), Phillip Sami (hamstring, round 15), Jayden Campbell (knee, TBC), Kieran Foran (knee, round 12)
Reinforcements: Josiah Pahulu, Joe Stimson
Key man: Kieran Foran
The Titans have already been decimated by injury, but only lose Moe Fotuaika to Maroons duty. Josiah Pahulu and Joe Stimson would be a straight swap, but they’ll rely on a healthy Kieran Foran across this time.
BRONCOS
Draw: bye, Sharks (H), Rabbitohs (A), bye, Warriors (A), Panthers (H), Dragons (H), Knights (A)
Origin players: Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo, Patrick Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam (reserves)
Casualty ward: Jesse Arthars (jaw, round 16), Adam Reynolds (biceps, round 22), Billy Walters (wrist, TBC), Kotoni Staggs (ribs, round 14)
Reinforcements: Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt, Kobe Hetherington, Martin Taupau, Tristan Sailor, Josiah Karapani, Cory Paix
Key man: Jock Madden
As usual, the Broncos will have a heavy Origin contribution across their backline and forward pack. They have healthy depth though, and have relied on it pretty consistently throughout the season so far. Byes in rounds 13 and 16 are crucial.
DOLPHINS
Draw: Raiders (H), bye, Sharks (A), Storm, (H), Dragons (A), bye, Rabbitohs (H), Panthers (A)
Origin players: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Casualty ward: Tom Flegler (shoulder, round 13), Tom Gilbert (knee, season), Tesi Niu (ankle, round 12), Max Plath (concussion, round 12)
Reinforcements: Lachlan Hubner, Trai Fuller
Key man: Isaiya Katoa
The Dolphins will miss ‘The Hammer’ to Queensland duty, while Tom Flegler is a chance once he returns from a shoulder injury later in the series. Trai Fuller is the next man up, while young half Isaiah Katoa is key to get them through.
COWBOYS
Draw: Roosters (A), Warriors (H), Raiders (A), bye, Panthers (A), Sea Eagles (H), bye, Bulldogs (H)
Origin players: Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson
Casualty ward: Tom Chester (hamstring, round 13), Semi Valemai (ankle, TBC), Coen Hess (knee, season), Zac Laybutt (knee, season), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles, indefinite)
Reinforcements: Harrison Edwards, Jake Granville, Jake Clifford, Robert Derby, Tom Chester, Braidon Burns, Jamal Shibasaki
Key man: Chad Townsend
Despite their form there’s a bunch of Cowboys in the Queensland team. The club will turn to Jake Granville, Harrison Edwards and Jake Clifford. Byes in round 16 and round 19 are gold.
EELS
Draw: Sharks (H), Bulldogs (A), Roosters (A), bye, Knights (A), Rabbitohs (H), Titans (A), bye
Origin players: J’maine Hopgood
Casualty ward: Toni Mataele (hamstring, round 12), Mitch Moses (foot, round 12), Clint Gutherson (knee, round 14), Haze Dunster (foot, round 18), Ofahiki Ogden (pec, round 19)
Reinforcements: Wiremu Greig, Ethan Sanders, Morgan Harper, Matt Doorey, Makahesi Makatoa
Key man: Dylan Brown
He’s out of at least Origin I but Mitch Moses will be in consideration for the Blues job when he does eventually return to the field. J’maine Hopgood is the only other player missing (for now). Dylan Brown will be the man to settle the already unstable team, but there are a few handy replacements to get them through.
RABBITOHS
Draw: bye, Titans (A), Broncos (H), Sea Eagles (H), bye, Eels (A), Dolphins (A), Tigers (H)
Origin players: Nil
Casualty ward: Cameron Murray (hip, round 15), Campbell Graham (sternum, round 18), Tevita Tatola (foot, round 18), Jye Gray (ankle, TBC), Dean Hawkins (quad, TBC), Richard Kennar (knee, TBC), Lachlan Ilias (leg, indefinite), Tyrone Munro (collarbone, indefinite)
Reinforcements: Jye Gray, Taane Milne, Peter Mamouzelos, Matt French
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell
In a win for Souths fans, their already depleted roster is unscathed by Origin. Matt French and Jye Gray will come in handy, whileLatrell Mitchell will have some heavy lifting to do.
ROOSTERS
Draw: Cowboys (H), bye, Eels (A), Bulldogs (H), Tigers (H), Dragons (H), bye, Storm (A)
Origin players: Joseph Suaalii, Luke Keary (reserves), Lindsay Collins
Casualty ward: Joey Manu (concussion, round 12), Michael Jennings (triceps, TBC), Billy Smith (ankle, indefinite), Connor Watson (throat, round 15-16)
Reinforcements: Fetalaiga Pauga, Zach Dockar-Clay, Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong, Sandon Smith, Egan Butcher
Key man: James Tedesco
James Tedesco’s axing from the Blues is a massive win for the Roosters, and no doubt he will be itching to unleash. Joey Manu is the other cog in the backline.
WESTS TIGERS
Draw: bye, Dragons (A), Titans (H), Raiders (H), Roosters (A), Storm, (H), Sharks (A), Rabbitohs (A)
Origin players: Nil
Casualty ward: Brent Naden (suspension, round 14), Justin Olam (suspensions, round 14), Aidan Sezer (suspension, round 15), John Bateman (pec, round 17), Starford To’a (hamstring, round 19), Adam Doueihi (knee, round 17), Junior Tupou (foot, TBC)
Reinforcements: Tallyn Da Silva, Sione Fainu
Key man: Lachlan Galvin
Api Koroisau could still come back into the Blues side. Highly-rated 19-year-old Tallyn Da Silva is next in line for the No.9 jersey, while Sione Fainu could be promoted to the starting side.
DRAGONS
Draw: Panthers (A), Tigers (H), Sea Eagles (A), bye, Dolphins (H), Roosters (A), Broncos (A), bye
Origin players: Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, Jaydn Su’A
Casualty ward: Corey Allan (knee, season)
Reinforcements: Fa’amanu Brown, Christian Tuipulotu
Key man: Kyle Flanagan
The Dragons have a healthy roster but will miss Ben Hunt to Queensland duty, and Lomax to a NSW debut. Fa’amanu Brown would be a straight swap for Hunt and Christian Tuipulotu is a chance for a first-grade recall. Kyle Flanagan would be the man to hold the team together in their absence, but their round 16 bye falls favourably.
SEA EAGLES
Draw: bye, Panthers (A), Dragons (H), Rabbitohs (A), bye, Cowboys (A), Knights (H), Titans (H)
Origin players: Daly Cherry-Evans, Haulmole Olakau’atu, Jake Trbojevic
Casualty ward: Nathan Brown (quad, round 12), Jason Saab (shoulder, round 14), Lachlan Croker (concussion, TBC), Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 18), Matt Lodge (biceps, TBC)
Reinforcements: Jake Arthur, Aaron Woods, Corey Waddell, Nathan Brown
Key man: Luke Brooks
With T Turbo already down, Manly will be down big guns DCE, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu across the next nine weeks, leaving Luke Brooks in charge. Their next bye falls in camp for Origin I, which helps.
WARRIORS
Draw: bye, Cowboys (A), Storm (H), Titans (A), Broncos (H), Bulldogs (A), bye
Origin players: Mitch Barnett (reserves)
Casualty ward: Rocco Berry (hand, round 14), Kurt Capewell (calf, round 14), Shaun Johnson (pec, round 14), Marata Niukore (foot, round 14), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring, round 17), Wayde Egan (head knock, TBC), Luke Metcalf (leg, indefinite), Demitric Sifakula (ACL, season)
Reinforcements: Taine Tuaupiki, Ali Leiataua, Zyon Maiu’u
Key man: Te Maire Martin
The Warriors are unlikely to be Origin affected at all with just Mitch Barnett getting the call up on the extended bench for the Blues. They have enough injuries to worry about though, and Te Maire Martin will need to steer the ship.
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