NRL Casualty Ward: Harry Grant in doubt for State of Origin Game 1, Toafofoa Sipley sent to judiciary

In an indication of the influence Harry Grant boasts for the Maroons, Origin favouritism has swung following his injury – and in-form Bulldog Reed Mahoney is one of seven players in the frame to replace him.

Reed Mahoney has emerged as one of seven State of Origin contenders from the unbeaten Bulldogs with the hooker the frontrunner to replace injured Maroons hooker Harry Grant.

Grant is set to be sidelined for the next four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, a potentially huge blow for both the Storm and Queensland coach Billy Slater.

The teams for Origin I on May 28 will be chosen in five weeks.

In an indication of the influence on Queensland that Grant boasts, the TAB have reacted with a seismic shift in favouritism for the upcoming State of Origin series.

Upon learning of Grant’s injury blow the TAB have flipped the favourites tag from Queensland to NSW.

Laurie Daley’s Blues have firmed from $1.95 outsiders to $1.85 favourites, with the Maroons easing out from $1.85 to $1.95 outsiders.

Slater will undoubtedly latch onto the underdogs tag.

Reed Mahoney is in the frame to play for Queensland. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Mahoney, a polarising player among fans with this ability to get under the skin of his opposition, is enjoying a dream start to the 2025 season for the first-placed Bulldogs.

The 20th man in Slater’s extended squad in last year’s series, the Maroons coach lauded the attitude of Mahoney after the Bulldogs hooker went close to an Origin debut last year.

“He hasn’t just become a good player at the Bulldogs. He was a really good player at the Parramatta Eels, he played in a grand final,” Slater said.

“And to be honest, I feel like the Eels have really missed him.’’

Queensland star Harry Grant is racing the clock to be fit for the start of the State of Origin series.

Grant sustained a serious hamstring injury this week and is expected to miss about a month of action.

He has been ruled out of the Good Friday clash between the Storm and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

The Origin series kicks off in Brisbane on May 28 and Grant may have to go into the clash without a game under his belt in over a month.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Grant would be sidelined for four-six weeks.

That would take him right up to the cusp of the Origin series opener.

Grant is a certainty to be selected in Billy Slater’s team if fit.

Harry Grant is racing the clock for State of Origin Game I with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty Images

SEA EAGLES PROP SENT STRAIGHT TO JUDICIARY FOR HIP DROP

—Michael Carayannis

Manly prop Toafofoa Sipley has been referred straight to the judiciary for a hip drop tackle which had left St George Illawarra winger Mat Feagai facing a long term stint on the sidelines.

Feagai will undergo surgery on Saturday the tackle which left him with a broken ankle and a syndesmosis injury in the second-half tackle. The 24-year-old will have an operation and will now be out for multiple months as a result of the tackle.

Feagai was brought into the Dragons side to replace the injured Christian Tuipulotu. Tuipulotu is out for up to a month with a hamstring injury. Feagai was replaced during the game by young winger Sione Finau after Finau was able to be activated as St George Illawarra’s 18th man because of the act of foul play. Finau will start on the wing for the Dragons in the Anzac Day clash against the Roosters on Friday.

Mat Feagai requires surgery. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dragons will also be without young forward Hamish Stewart after he was unable to finish the game because of a concussion.

The Sea Eagles forward pack is already depleted and could face further woes if Sipley is suspended. Jake Trbojevic won’t play against the Panthers next week because of his own concussion that he suffered against the Dragons.

Manly are hopeful Matt Lodge will play NSW Cup next week in his first outing of the season.