John Sutton is ready to put his State of Origin five-eighth aspirations on hold by moving to the back-row at Souths to accommodate highly-rated playmaker Luke Keary.
Keary was given his first taste of NRL action earlier this season against Newcastle by coach Michael Maguire who’s publicly stated he may move Sutton to get the 21-year-old Queenslander into his side.
Sutton has been in fantastic form for the Rabbitohs this year and is credited with helping the storming progress of halfback Adam Reynolds since his debut last year.
The 29-year-old was selected in an extended NSW squad for Origin I this year by coach Laurie Daley but missed out on a bench spot to Josh Reynolds.
His partnership with Reynolds has taken Souths to the top of the ladder and could potentially form the Blues halves combination next year.
But with Souths losing Nathan Peats this week to Parramatta after the 22-year-old became frustrated with a lack of game time behind Issac Luke, the club is keen to ensure Keary doesn’t follow suit.
“I am happy to move,” Sutton told AAP.
“Luke has been playing really well all year and when he’s had to move up to first grade he’s not looked out of place.”
Keary’s form for North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup has been strong and retaining his services with a new contract will be a priority with his current deal expiring at the end of next season.
The Ipswich-born playmaker was included in Mal Meninga’s Queensland Emerging Junior Origin squad just three years after switching from rugby where he represented Australian Schoolboys.
“Luke has been killing it for the Bears this year,” Sutton said.
“So if Madge (Maguire) wants me to play back row I am more than willing to do that.
“I don’t mind playing back-row. I run the ball from five-eighth a lot anyway so I am happy to do the best for the side wherever I am picked.”
greatwhite54
Guest
if sutton goes into the forwards it will be the beginning of the end for him, he would not handle that position,if he does accept a move to the forwards he will end up a bench player and eventually drop off the radar. It is really a credit to him to be ok about moving into forwards if needed....
muzz
Guest
sutton as centre od 2nd row - no difference these days
Chris
Guest
Would put Sutton at centre to cover GI and let keary play 5/8
Rod
Guest
As a souths supporter. I think you are spot on. I think boring is a little harsh. Bu I hope that they, have something else other than the standard 2nd man play, inside ball to Inglis or bomb to Macqueen. That said they probably have more go to plays than most teams. There for can execute them better under pressure. Well I hope that is the logic behind it. I think it's worth giving Keary a run over the next few weeks. Just in case sutto or Reyno go down.
Blues Recovery
Guest
Ipswich born? Went to school at Oakhill College Castle Hill , how is he a Queenslander . This eligibility stuff is a complete nonsense . SBW pull on a Blue jersey next year . Adrian Lam played for Qld after playing for PNG.
Terry
Guest
Souths attack is both amazingly potent but also remarkably predictable. If you can stop or slow down the roll on through the guts they become way less of a worry. Whilst they have scored the most number of points they can be very dull to watch as well - and I follow Souths. So bringing Keary, a player that brings an X factor into the team, back onto the bench is certainly the way to go asap. Peats is not getting any game tine and is a waste of a bench spot. I just cant get my head around why he's even there now.