The Postman looks at the key injuries to come out of Round 11 and prepares you for post-Origin 1 disappointment.
Well DreamTeamers - State of Origin Game 1 kicks off tonight and your local Postman has taken the night off to enjoy all that is great about believing that maybe, just maybe, the Blues might start a series well for the first time in four years.
That’s right – NSW haven’t won a Game 1 since 2008 but the great hope – David Carney – is playing for us so we must be a chance of winning.
There is a DT consideration though – will a guy like Sam Thaiday who has battled groin and rib injuries this season – backup? His club coach has left him out of the lineup per his ‘plans’ but the game shapes as possibly Brisbane’s only chance to peg back Melbourne’s minor premiership lead – so will Thaiday play?
The point is – Origin time is beware players not backing up time… Danger Will Thaiday! Danger!
As for the poor broken souls who picked up injuries last weekend – here’s the lowdown.
Canterbury wingers Bryson Goodwin (spleen) and Luke MacDougall (elbow) are on struggle street after the Cronulla game, Goodwin won’t play, while incredibly MacDougall has been named. Tariq Sims is done for the year for the second season in a row with the same injury – more on Cowboy alternatives to Optimus Sims here – and Shaun Kenny-Dowall is out for a month with a back injury that he aggravated at training.
Chris Lawrence’s hamstring is no good after pulling it against the Warriors and Blake Austin is still a little dizzy after copping a knock to the head for the Panthers in Townsville. Luke Walsh made a comeback from a knee injury and David Williams was kept out by Manly with a hamstring strain. Brett Morris continued the hammy trend by straining his shortly after doing an ankle against Souths and Ben Hornby seems to be plagued by his rapidly advancing old age right now.
The other thing to consider is what – if any – injuries might come out of Origin 1 tonight. The players in the most doubt will be Justin Hodges and Sam Thaiday for the Broncos (they have ongoing injuries) and the risk that Melbourne rest Cameron Smith or Billy Slater given their game is just 2 days after Origin 1. The other concerns are Dave Taylor and Greg Inglis for the Bunnies and David Shillington for the Raiders – all of which need to travel back up to Sydney for their Friday night game.
In short – don’t rely on you Origin starts to backup – hope they do but don’t count on it.
Any other injuries to come out of Round 11 that we missed? Share the wealth DreamTeamers…
The Postman’s Mail: Remember DreamTeamers that Todd Carney and Paul Gallen WILL NOT backup because Cronulla have the bye. So make your roster moves accordingly. As mentioned above – if I had to predict two players who won’t backup – I’d pick Hodges and Thaiday. Beware everyone else.
