Billy Slater could be forced into a huge selection call for the State of Origin decider, with star hooker Harry Grant “in doubt” to take the field for the Maroons.
After being rested from club duties after game two, Grant has again been left out of the Storm squad in round 18, leading to plenty of speculation about his fitness.
Grant was left with a massive cut on his forehead during his last game and required plenty of stitches following an ugly collision with a Queensland teammate.
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Melbourne’s head of football Frank Ponissi explained the decision on Tuesday, claiming Grant was simply being given a chance to “freshen up” after a tough year.
“After discussions with the medical staff and Craig [Bellamy], it was felt that we’d give Harry another week off,” Ponissi said.
“He’s been carrying a lot of bumps and bruises, he has played a lot of football this year and he’s had two tough Origin matches.
“We thought it was in his best interests to give him a break this week again … it will freshen him up for the back-end of the season.”
However, according to rugby league great Phil Gould, the 26-year-old is actually struggling with an injury and could miss the must-win clash at Suncorp Stadium.
”He’s got a sternum injury, I think he’s in doubt for Origin,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus podcast.
“I think it will be a risk to play him – those things don’t come good overnight.
“That’s my mail, I might be wrong.”
Grant has been in strong form with Melbourne this year, stepping up in the absence of Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen to help his side to the top of the table.
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His potential absence from the Queensland team would leave Slater in a tricky situation, especially given the fact Ben Hunt is unlikely to play 80 minutes in the middle.
Reed Mahoney would be the logical pick if the Maroons wanted to go into the game with two genuine hookers, while Billy Walters could be a smokey for the side.
If Grant was to be ruled out, it could also open the door for Kalyn Ponga to earn selection, with the Knights captain named to make a shock early return in round 18.
The superstar fullback has filled the utility role in the past at Origin level and would add plenty of X-factor regardless of where he came into the mix.
The other massive calls facing Slater, Darren Lockyer and Gene Miles at the selection table centres around the injury suffered by Xavier Coates in round 17.
Dane Gagai was included in the squad for game two and is a proven commodity in the representative arena, while Selwyn Cobbo is back fit and firing for the Broncos.
There has also been talk of Valentine Holmes being dropped, allowing Gagai or Cobbo to come into the side at centre and Alofi Khan-Pereira in the mix for a debut on the wing.
Slater’s bench has also come under fire following the 38-18 loss in Melbourne, with calls growing for the Queensland coach to recall David Fifita.
Veteran back-rowers Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi both offered very little against the Blues in game two and could be squeezed out for the powerful Titans superstar.
Francis Molo and Corey Jensen could also come into calculations should Slater want another out-and-out front-rower in his team, with both players performing well at club level this year for the Dragons and Broncos respectively.
Queensland have been without the likes of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Tom Flegler for the first two games, leaving a massive hole in the middle of the field.
Regardless of which way he goes, Slater will be criticised if the Maroons are unable to get over the line, particularly after their dominant display in the series opener.
But with the home-field advantage at Suncorp Stadium and plenty of big names to choose from, Queensland are primed to take it to NSW in what promises to be an epic.
Potential Maroons Origin III team
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Reuben Cotter 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Kalyn Ponga 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. David Fifita 17. Francis Molo