NRL 2021: Reuben Garrick, Jayden Campbell, Tyrone May headline players who can shine in absence of Origin stars

An Origin player drain can easily derail an NRL season, but it can also provide insight as replacements try to plug the gaps. Here are seven players who can shine over the next six weeks.

Players who can make a difference over the next six weeks.

Losing a host of big names to Origin can break a club’s season - but it can just as easily make careers for the next generation of stars.

With the interstate series returning to its customary mid-season slot, the ravages of losing 34 of the competition’s best players will hit the NRL like a freight train over the next six weeks.

But the silver lining of such a player drain is the chance for unknown players to make a name for themselves on the NRL stage.

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Corey Parker was part of an Origin depleted Broncos in 2002 that pulled off a stunning win.

It’s something Fox League commentator Corey Parker knows well. Back in 2002 he was part of the Baby Broncos side that upset Wests Tigers 28-14 despite losing a whopping 11 players (and coach Wayne Bennett) to Origin.

“The system has to be right, but the culture has to be there as well. When those players who aren’t in first grade are called up, they’re required to do a job and they’re expected to win,” Parker said.

“That was every game and if you don’t win you have to get back, train your arse off and do it again. It was like ‘yeah, we’re missing 11 guys but this is your opportunity’.

“We just had a bunch of young kids - I was a veteran, I’d played 10 games. It’s amazing, when you get the opportunity to carry the baton what you can come up with.

“With teams like the Roosters and the Storm, the system works. Whoever pulls on the jersey, no matter what number, you’re still expected to win.

“There’ll be some player you never heard of that’ll come up and, all of a sudden, you’ll say ‘wow, who the hell is this guy?’”

Tyrone May has big shoes to fill in the absence of Nathan Cleary.

It begins this weekend, with the Panthers and Storm, especially, forced to play a score of unknowns.

Last year’s grand finalists are streets ahead of the pack and the likes of South Sydney and Parramatta will be hoping Origin can drag them back a notch or two.

There’s also the chance a rough Origin campaign can dent a player’s confidence when they come back to clubland, which makes the efforts of the rest of the side even more vital.

But Parker, who was on the other side later in his career when he was an automatic selection for Queensland, believes it doesn’t have to be a massive drain on the ladder leaders - instead, it can give their rampaging seasons an even greater zeal.

Plenty of Brisbane premiership campaigns were derailed by Origin, but others found a new momentum from blooding a host of youngsters.

“Being on the other side of the fence, being in Origin and watching, and seeing the team is in good shape and seeing the young boys do what you do, it’s pretty rewarding,” Parker said.

Jack Bird has been moved into the forwards.

“Seeing the young boys aim up - you’re proud of them. You really are. That’s what can make young players. Sometimes that’s all an individual needs, one opportunity.

“There’s a couple of ripple effects on the back of that. You come back into a team that’s winning and in a good spot. But it reaffirms that something is going right, that something is working.

“When you’re under the pump and depleted and you still perform? That’s when you know you’ve got something that’s going right. It reaffirms you’re on the right path.”

SEVEN PLAYERS TO WATCH DURING ORIGIN

Jayden Campbell (Titans)

The son of Titans legend Preston, Campbell has been named to make his NRL debut at fullback this week. Currently second in the standings for the Petero Civoniceva medal for Queensland Cup player of the year, the elusive and dynamic fullback could well hold his spot by switching to wing or centre if he impresses against the Storm.

Jayden Campbell treads in the footsteps of his dad Preston this weekend.

Tyrone May (Panthers)

Penrith’s halves stocks will be bare given Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have been selected for Origin and will likely hold their place for the entire series. Enter May, who has settled into a utility role but came through the grades as a five-eighth. With his experience and skill, May will take on a far greater role in steering the premiership favourites around the park in the weeks to come.

Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles)

When Tom Trbojevic has been in the side this year, Manly has looked like a top four team. When he hasn’t, they’ve struggled to compete. Thus Garrick, who seems the likely man to fill in at fullback while Trbojevic is in Origin, will have to do all he can to replace the talismanic custodian. The 23-year old has been in top form on the wing, but switching to the back is another matter entirely.

Joseph Manu (Roosters)

Manu is in a different category to the other players on this list - he’s well-established as one of the best centres in rugby league and has been for some time. However, with James Tedesco one of the few certain Blues selections through the series and the Roosters battling a massive injury toll, Manu will have to shoulder an even greater load in the weeks to come, be it at centre, fullback or five-eighth, where he was best on ground in the big win over the Raiders last week.

Joseph Manu will play a big role with the Roosters.

Blake Taafe (Rabbitohs)

With Adam Reynolds bound for Brisbane and Latrell Mitchell in Origin camp, it could open the door for Taafe, who recently returned from injury in NSW Cup, to make his NRL debut. Capable of playing in the halves or at fullback, Taafe may prove to be a valuable utility for Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.

Jack Bird (Dragons)

Tariq Sims’ unexpected Origin call-up and a few timely injuries have meant Bird will line up at second row against Brisbane, marking the first time in Bird’s NRL career he’ll start a match in the forwards. It could be a preview of things to come - many have considered either second row or lock to be Bird’s best position.

Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)

The latest prospect to come through the Broncos production line, Cobbo has impressed for Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup this year with his speed and footballing instincts standing out. With Xavier Coates heading to Melbourne next year, Cobbo could be his replacement on the wing and he’ll get his first chance to prove himself on Thursday in his NRL debut against the Dragons.