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.

Zac Lomax has declared he’s mentally and physically ready to upset 40,000 Queenslanders for NSW despite playing just 80-minutes of footy in six weeks.

The Eels star’s confidence will ease the stress of NSW State of coach Laurie Daley, who is dealing with a fresh injury blow in the shape of Knights prop Jacob Saifiti while incumbent skipper Jake Trbojevic failed to finish the match against the Cowboys because of a heavy concussion.

Saifiti was on the verge of being selected on the bench for NSW, with the hard-running prop’s form this season impressive despite the Knights poor season so far.

However, Saifiti has succumbed to a calf injury he suffered in Newcastle’s loss to the Eels on Friday night.

Daley was pouring through video on Saturday morning of potential bench forward options including Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu, Bulldogs middle-man Max King and Wests Tigers forward Terrell May.

Jacob Saifiti. Picture: NRL Photos

“I am (waiting by the phone),” King said on ABC Sport.

“If I get a call I’d be ecstatic.

“A lot of Origin selections get picked off the back of team performance.

“I’m really grateful how we are going collectively as a team.’’

Explosive Roosters prop Spencer Leniu will be named as one forward on the bench, while teammate Connor Watson is expected to be named as the bench utility at number 14.

Hudson Young, Angus Crichton and Isaah Yeo are all expected to be selected in the NSW squad.

Broncos prop Payne Haas and Warriors leader Mitchell Barnett are also expected to be part of the starting pack, should they pull through unscathed from their respective club matches this weekend.

An alternative to selecting an out-and-out big man on the bench is that the Blues may also consider using hard-nosed Penrith star Liam Martin as both an edge and middle forward.

Back in charge of the Blues for the first time since the 2017 series, Daley will select his squad for Origin I on Monday.

NSW face the Maroons in game one of the series on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium, before heading to Perth for Origin II and Sydney for game three.

The powerful return of Lomax from a broken foot is a major boost for Daley, who needed to see a positive return from the Eels points scorer to ensure his Origin selection.

The fact that Penrith winger Brian To’o has played just one game back from a hamstring injury - and has the bye this weekend - has led to the possibility of Daley opting for Manly’s Tom Trbojevic on the NSW wing instead.

Tom Trbojevic struggled in Manly’s win over teh Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

Tom said he was “doing his best” despite again struggling to reach full pace on Saturday night.

“I’m not playing the footy I want to,” Trbojevic said on ABC Sport. “I have to keep working hard knowing where I can be. Who knows we will see (if I am selected).”

One thing is clear, Lomax is eager to return to the Origin arena following his series-defining performance in game two at the MCG last year, which saw him dominate with two tries and five goals.

“I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t want to be back there,’’ Lomax said after his 15-point haul against the Knights.

“Of course I want to be back there.

“It’s not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they’re not in the team.

“They’ll be lying if they’re not.

“Everyone wants to be in that team and the luxury that NSW have is there’s a lot of unbelievable players that are in contention.’’

Zac Lomax impressed in his return from injury with a dominant outing against the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if he was physically ready for the intensity of Origin following his lengthy lay-off, Lomax replied: “Origin is between the ears for me and what I’ve experienced.

“It’s obviously a different game of footy,’’ Lomax said.

“For me, you’ve just got to do your job. You’ve got the best players around you.

“That’ll take care of itself. It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that’s footy.’’

Daley will also make a call on his five-eighth to partner halfback Nathan Cleary after the Wests Tigers host the Rabbitohs.

Jarome Luai is in a battle to hold off Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses.

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

Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton will avoid being suspended for game one after being slapped with a $3,000 fine for his high shot on Roosters prop Lindsay Collins on Friday night.

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.

Rabbitohs headline act Latrell Mitchell only needs to escape injury and judiciary-free from Sunday’s clash with the Wests Tigers to be named in the centres for NSW with Crichton.

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