Billy Slater may need to stick with Harry Grant as the starting hooker for State of Origin 2, as potential replacement Max Plath suffered an injury setback on Friday night. The Maroons have a 0-4 record when Grant starts in Origin matches, including a poor performance from the Melbourne Storm captain in Game 1 this year.
Slater has found greater success deploying Grant off the bench, allowing him to avoid the intense opening exchanges and enter the game with fresh energy. Previously, Slater used Ben Hunt as the starting No.9 for this reason, but the Broncos veteran is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to return for Origin 2.
Max Plath’s return for the Dolphins against the Dragons on Friday night had many believing he could fill the role typically played by Ben Hunt in State of Origin. Queensland legend Corey Parker had tipped Plath as a potential surprise selection before the series, though a foot injury sidelined him for Game 1.
However, Plath faced another setback when he sustained a knee injury just 21 minutes into his comeback game. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf confirmed post-match that it was a medial ligament injury, effectively ruling Plath out of contention for Origin 2.
With Max Plath likely sidelined, Billy Slater may have to retain Harry Grant as the starting hooker for State of Origin 2, though he could consider Kurt Mann, who served as the 18th man in Game 1, for the role. Another possibility is Reed Mahoney, but the Bulldogs hooker is reportedly at risk of being dropped at the NRL level.
Corey Parker previously praised Plath on SEN radio, saying, “One of his greatest strengths is that he just competes. He has a red-hot crack… in the biggest games in rugby league, if you’re competing your absolute arse off, you’re going to be there when it counts. That’s Max Plath’s DNA, and we see it week in, week out… I wouldn’t have an issue at all if Max Plath went into a Queensland jersey.”
Read more: YahooSports
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