As National Rugby League clubs across the competition hold their breath waiting for fitness and availability updates on their State of Origin representatives, two of the league’s top playmakers have been cleared to work their way back into game day squads this weekend, bringing critical boosts to their respective teams.
One of the most anticipated comebacks belongs to North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden, who has been sidelined since a damaging syndesmosis injury against the Parramatta Eels in Round 10. The injury forced the 2023 Wally Lewis Medal winner to miss the entire 2024 State of Origin series, but he has earned a spot on the Cowboys’ extended bench for this weekend’s clash against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Cowboys head coach Todd Payten told reporters that Dearden’s recovery has progressed better than expected, with a final call on his inclusion coming after the team’s main training session and captain’s run. “He’s tracking along all right. He’s got a couple of boxes to tick,” Payten said. “The main session is tomorrow (so hopefully) he gets through that, and then we have the captain’s run. Depending on how he pulls up, we’ll make a judgment call on that. But things are looking promising.” If Dearden gets the green light to play, current playmaker Jaxon Purdue is expected to shift to the centres to accommodate his return.
Over at the Melbourne Storm, the club has secured a massive boost with former Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes returning to the starting line-up for their match against the Gold Coast Titans, after recovering from a hamstring strain that kept him sidelined for multiple weeks. Hughes isn’t the only returnee for the Storm: Nick Meaney, Jack Howarth and Manaia Waitere are also back in the squad to reinforce the team’s backline. Mid-season recruit Oryn Keeley has been named to Melbourne’s extended bench and is in line to make his club debut this weekend if called up.
Wests Tigers have also received positive injury news, with playmaker Jarome Luai cleared to return after completing the NRL’s concussion protocols, while forward Samuela Fainu is back from a foot injury. The Tigers will be without hooker Api Koroisau, who continues to recover from a pectoral injury, so Josese Lanyon will step into the dummy-half role for the clash against the New Zealand Warriors. The Warriors have suffered a loss of their own, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ruled out with a hamstring injury, but they welcome back key forwards James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima to the squad.
The Dolphins and Cronulla Sharks have kept fans and analysts guessing, with all their State of Origin stars named only to extended benches pending late fitness checks. Down at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, head coach Wayne Bennett has made a surprising shake-up to his backline: experienced fullback Matt Dufty will replace young talent Jye Gray in the starting line-up, while Jayden Sullivan comes into the side to replace suspended playmaker Cody Walker. Gray has been dropped to the reserves bench for the clash.
For the Canterbury Bulldogs, forward Jacob Preston has been named as a reserve and could come in as a last-minute inclusion if any starter pulls out injured. The Canberra Raiders welcome back veteran forward Josh Papalii and youngster Noah Martin for their upcoming fixture. Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart chose not to name winger Savelio Tamale, who was taken out early in the team’s last match against the St George Illawarra Dragons after a messy first 30 minutes. However, Stuart has named playmaker Ethan Strange, who was considered a doubt for the State of Origin decider earlier this month with an ankle injury, confirming he will be available this weekend.
Finally, Sydney Roosters legend Daniel Tupou is set to hit a major career milestone this weekend, hitting 300 NRL games after overcoming a recent injury. The Roosters have also named Hugo Savala at halfback as a back-up, in case Queensland Maroons star Sam Walker is unable to back up after Origin decider duties.