Jake Marketo has been named on the bench for NSW City Origin despite failing to crack NRL level for St George Illawarra this season.
The representative availability crisis hit a new low on Monday morning, when City were forced to delay their team naming due to the high amount of withdrawals of eligible players.
By midday, they were able to name three players with NSW State of Origin experience – captain Paul Gallen, fullback Matt Moylan and prop James Tamou – but it’s in the back row and on the bench where the drama is best highlighted
Parramatta’s David Gower will start despite spending all but two games this year as the Eels’ 18th man or in reserve grade, while Hame Sele is at lock after having come off the bench in four games for the Dragons.
Pauli Pauli is also yet to play first grade this year at Newcastle but is named, after dislocating his hip in a pre-season car crash.
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary will also come off the bench, but it’s Marketo’s inclusion which raises the most eyebrows.
He has played 50 NRL games for the Dragons, but has been included in their 21-man squad once this season – and that was in round one.
He has spent the rest of the year playing reserve grade for Illawarra.
There are no players from Canberra or North Queensland in either City or Country sides after coaches Ricky Stuart and Paul Green suggested they would make their players unavailable.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs have just one after Des Hasler made a similar threat – with Adam Elliott named for Country.
City Coach Brad Fittler has also named Bryce Cartwright at five-eighth, denying Matt Moylan a trial in the halves ahead of NSW State of Origin selection.
It’s understood that was also caused due to the high number of unavailable players for the Mudgee clash with Country, which will be the last of the annual fixture.
Cronulla premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend will wear the No.7, while in-form St George Illawarra hooker Cameron McInness is at dummy-half.
City Origin Squad:
Matt Moylan, Clinton Gutherson, Nathan Ross, Tyrone Peachey, Josh Addo-Carr, Bryce Cartwright, Chad Townsend, James Tamou, Cameron McInnes, Paul Gallen, Curtis Sironen, David Gower, Hame Sele, Joseph Paulo, Nathan Cleary, Pauli Pauli, Jake Marketo.
Rayban
Guest
Blues 2017 1. Tedesco 2. T Trbojevic 3. Roberts (Jennings if injured) 4. Hayne 5. Addo-Carr 6. Moylan 7. Maloney 8. Fafita 9. Peats 10. Klemmer 11. Cordner 12. Jackson 13. Frizell 14. Vaughn 15. Graham 16. J Trbojevic/Boyd 17. Bird 18. Wighton 19. J Trbojevic/Boyd
andrew
Guest
And they will miss club games playing Origin, but City/Country is a Bye round..
Matt Jones
Guest
i dont know how this is his fault. nice insulting name
Matt Jones
Guest
completely wrong, 50 players made themselves unavailable. most of the island players you mention were born here
Dutski
Roar Guru
As an old Wello boy to see a Peachey turning out for city makes my blood boil!
Oingo Boingo
Guest
League is sinking to new lows under Greenturds watch , the man is a joke .
Marco
Guest
What a joke this is. It's embarrassing. But players will be available for origin in what will be tougher games. That will really affect the clubs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah Hook and Mary have just about saved this fixture. Dragons have 7 across the two sides although I believe Aitken is now out.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
In the same world where Brad Thorn was eligible to represent Queensland. Oh wait, that's this one.
The eye
Guest
If Hook had spat it out like 3 others had..the game would have had to be abandoned..gouoldness gracious..
Dutski
Roar Guru
How on earth is Tyrone Peachey available for City??? Born in Wellington (NSW), played for the Wellington Cowboys as a junior!
The eye
Guest
Pauli Pauli,a selection for the ghouls..
shinobi
Guest
Take the island/kiwi players out of the equation and you really are picking at scraps there. be better off scrapping city origin and having the aboriginal all stars team feature against NZ/Samoa?England etc now that would be a game worth watching.