Four players – three backs and one forward – will attract a hot and heavy spotlight in what shapes as a nail-biting Round 25 of the NRL competition.
Injuries to senior players have thrust these four to centre stage, and their respective teams will be sweating on their performances with the finals fast approaching.
I refer to a somewhat unlikely quartet of Rabbitoh Alex Johnston, Cowboy Ray Thompson, Rooster Jackson Hastings and Sea Eagle Blake Leary.
Johnston has been named at fullback, deputising for the injured Greg Inglis in tomorrow night’s big clash with Brisbane at Allianz Stadium. He has made his name as a winger at Souths but fullback is his pet position and he can expect a searching, 80-minute test from the Broncos’ kickers and chasers.
I’m not sure that he can handle the job against a kick-chase team as accomplished as Brisbane but I like him as a player and wish him well on what shapes as a very difficult night.
Thompson has played plenty of five-eighth for the Cowboys and is a nippy customer who won’t let them down. He is lucky to have the world’s best player, Johnathan Thurston, alongside him, as well as another attacking livewire in the shape of dummy half Jake Granville to ease the pressure when the going gets tough.
He’s no Michael Morgan, but is more than capable of doing a solid job for the Cowboys.
The scenario for the Roosters will be very interesting against a desperate Manly at Brookvale on Friday night. Jackson Hastings – the son of club favourite Horrie – has been handed Mitchell Pearce’s No. 7 jumper and he’ll have it for the next four or five games.
He has loads of talent and he’ll need to show it against a Manly team clearly embarrassed by Sunday’s loss to Parramatta and razor-keen to produce an upset win for coach Geoff Toovey in his last hurrah at The Fortress.
Hastings has been charged with the playmaking duties alongside James Maloney. He looked solid when he came on for the injured Pearce against Brisbane in the last round, but is he ready for the big stuff that lies ahead? The jury is still out.
If the Hastings-Maloney combination doesn’t work, watch for yet another dramatic change in the bookmakers’ premiership markets.
The Sea Eagles are clinging to their finals hope by a talon. They need St George Illawarra to lose (heavily), along with an upset win over the Roosters to stay in the hunt.
Blake Leary has been named at hooker when most thought the job of replacing the injured Matt Ballin would go to Jayden Hodges. Leary is usually seen as a lock or second-rower and it’s a big gamble for Toovey to pitch him into dummy half.
I’m really looking forward to this penultimate premiership round in a competition which seems to change complexion with every game. Nothing is cut and dried – just look at last weekend’s crazy results – and there could be more upheavals served between now and Monday night.
As football fans, we can only hope that no more major injuries are suffered by the competition’s leading lights.
I am wishing Messrs Johnston, Thompson, Hastings and Leary the best of luck. Each is in the hot seat and their respective teams could sink or swim on their performance.
Up and at ’em fellas.
steveng
Roar Rookie
No he's not, Johnston continually drops the bomb(s) and to me he look nervous every time he has taken GI's position. His penetration and play lacks enormously when the guy is put under the high ball, in most instances when Johnston was fullback and it was wet he continually dropped the ball and put Souths on the defensive which contributed to try's. I don't know who Mage should put at fullback? As Johnston is not one of them, especially against the Broncos that use the bomb so affectively and will sus Johnston out all the time.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Tim, Alex Johnston will be fine, he's a terrific player and does a great job when Inglis isn't playing. The Broncos need to have there kicking game on.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Gobble gobble littleredturkey
planko
Roar Guru
He has to play him surely.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Planko, I wasn't aware Hodges could tap dance. And I won't be surprised if he is a last minute addition to Toovey's starting lineup.
planko
Roar Guru
Jayden Hodges must have been tapping Penn's wife.... He can be rocks and diamonds however they need to roll the dice and maybe get some diamonds. Selected in NSW Cup again with Leary playing HOOKER to damn funny
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'm worried about Johnston at Fullback. As a winger I'm sure just about any side would love to have him on the flank, but what he's shown at fullback so far leaves a lot to be desired. His positioning to receive kicks needs work and his last-option defense has been a bit ineffective. He needs to try and get in lower one-on-one. If you want to sum-up Johnston at fullback, look at the footage of Marty Taupau fending him off like he was batting away a fly. I hope Johnston is the kind of guy who can learn from this kind of thing.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
If he wants to play fullback, it is almost worth dropping him to NSW Cup so he can play a few games there at number 1. He definitely needs the practice, but it's too risky giving him that practice at NRL level.
pete bloor
Guest
I liken if to saying I have a preference for dating A list actresses when I was in my 20s, but sadly my desires did not match my abilities.
Bulldog
Guest
Pretty sure none of the clubs have made any excuses in the articles written over the last 4 days. It is the media who are writing all the articles about why certain clubs can not win the comp. Nothing like a media frenzy to overstate the facts.... As a Cows supporter I am happy for them to write us off.
littleredrooster
Guest
None of those players you mention except Billy the Kid, Guru Bazza, are in the same class as the Chooks,Wabbit and Cow blokes. Wake up son...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
It might be a far better option. You're right he did have a good little campaign there in the Nines Could be a lot better for him defending tighter. He had a real tough time with his opposition centers last season, the first try score and score anytime betting markets took a huge dent with a few ppl I know putting it on his opposite numbers. Hopefully he can get a crack in the 2nd row for Newtown and get some of that first grade tigers form back he showed early
The Barry
Roar Guru
Every article for the past 4 days. I'm sure the Cowboys are trying to work out how the NRL and the Sydney media managed to take out Morgan and Tamou... ?
Tim Prentice
Expert
Of course, we can include him but we saw what he could do in the last round. Cook was highly impressive in all aspects and looks capable of handling his duties in the big pressure games ahead.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What do you think of Ayshford moving into the second row? He was really, really good in the 9s in that sort of a role. I have a soft spot for Blake - I was coached by his dad and three of his uncles for years in junior footy. Blake was born when I was in the under 17s and being coached by his dad.
Bulldog
Guest
Apart from Slater (and maybe McGuire) none of the guys listed by you above are as big name players such as GI, JWH, Pearce and Morgan. None of them (except Slater and McQuire) are SOO or international players. Also a number of these players are coming back in the next couple of weeks (finals time) whilst the current injuries potentially effect their teams during finals. Also the teams involved are all in the top four. By the way since when have any of these teams made any excuses about these injuries??
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
How doesn't cook at the dogs get a mention? Hooker is just so important and he really took his chance with both hands
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Ayshford missing from the sharks is detrimental for the opposition
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think he'll eventually be a good fullback - he has all the attributes. He just has a lack of experience at this level.
cedric
Guest
wow, what a list and the Broncs' and Dogs keep going pretty good! Do you think Alex Johnson pleaded with Souths to give him one more chance at fullback, cause I can't see any other reason that he should be given another shot!