State of Origin 2025: Relief for Blues as Crichton dodges suspension, Jacob Saifiti ruled out

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has dodged suspension for a high shot on the eve of Origin selection, but Laurie Daley faces a new quandary as a prop pulls out of Game 1 due to injury.

NSW Origin hopeful Jacob Saifiti is expected to be ruled out of contention after picking up a calf injury in Newcastle’s loss to Parramatta.PLAY CODE TRIVIA TODAY! 🎲❓

Saifiti was considered a near certainty to start off the bench for NSW in Origin I but an ongoing calf problem will make him unavailable. Newcastle officials expect Saifiti to be sidelined for multiple weeks.

Jacob Saifiti. Picture: NRL Photos

The 29-year-old played the last of his two Origin games in 2023. He was called in to make his Origin debut in 2022 after Jordan McLean was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

With Payne Haas and Mitch Barnett expected to start in the front row for NSW, the injury to Saifiti could see the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Terrell May, Stefano Utoikamanu and Max King earn a bench spot.

The injury blow comes as Stephen Crichton walks a match review tightrope after escaping with a $3,000 fine for his high shot on Roosters prop Lindsay Collins on Friday night.

Slapped with a grade one dangerous contact charge by the NRL match review committee, the fine for an early guilty plea will allow the champion centre to avoid being suspended ahead of his anticipated NSW selection.

Stephen Crichton was charged for his shot on Lindsay Collins. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

However, due to the high shot being the Bulldogs captain’s third offence, he would miss two weeks if he fights the charge and loses at the judiciary.

It places Crichton on tenterhooks for the remainder of the season with any charge likely to lead to suspension.

Originally published as State of Origin 2025: Relief for Blues as Crichton dodges suspension, Jacob Saifiti ruled out