The Bulldogs are reportedly “filthy” that they will be forced to play the Knights on Friday night without star five-eighth Matt Burton.
Burton has been named as 18th man in the New South Wales squad for Origin I, which is played on Wednesday, June 5 at Accor Stadium.
That role means Burton will not be released from Blues camp to play for the Bulldogs this week, however 19th man Luke Keary has been named for the Roosters and player No.20 Mitch Barnett would’ve been able to play, but the Warriors have the bye.
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News Corp journalist Dave Riccio revealed on NRL 360 that the Bulldogs are not happy about the situation — especially given it’s the third time it’s happened to the club and Burton.
“They’re pretty disappointed,” he said.
“This is the third time it’s happened to the Bulldogs and Matt Burton, where he sat as the 18th man for the entire week and been unavailable for the Dogs.
“You’ve got to put yourself in Canterbury’s shoes. They’re attempting to make the finals for the first time in a long time. They also know the heavy influence Matt Burton has on this football team.
“And whether there should be some wriggle room or at least an adjustment on when an 18th player is made available to potentially return to their team.
“They’re filthy.
“There’s nothing they can do other than extreme frustration and disappointment that another player from a club that’s got the bye couldn’t sit in the 18th man position and Matt could still be 19th man.”
Veteran journalist Paul Crawley, however, believes it’s crucial that Burton is not risked in an NRL game this weekend because there’s every chance he could end up being activated during Origin — or even promoted to the 17 in a shock late change.
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“The rules have changed though with the concussions and the fact that an 18th man now is really a live chance to play in the game as soon as there’s a player that leaves the field due to an illegal play,” Crawley said on NRL 360.
”With Burton too, it would not shock me one bit if NSW pull a swiftie here and put him in the 17. I can’t believe we aren’t taking a back on the bench.
“The only option to come in and play in the halves if we get an injury there is Cam McInnes and the options if we get an injury in the outside backs are Angus Crichton and Hudson Young.
“Yet you’ve got Burton, who’s sitting there and could pretty much fill any position and you could shift things around to make it work.”
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NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, who played 10 games for NSW, conceded he does “feel for the Dogs” but can understand why the Origin teams take the cautious approach with their 18th man.
“He’s got to train with the squad and be with the squad and cover those positions because realistically he may (be called on),” Anasta said.
“It’s extremely unlucky and unfair to the Dogs… but if you are genuinely a No.18 in Origin these days with the HIAs and being able to come in at any stage, he needs to cover a number of positions if he does come on, they need him there every day to train.”
Riccio was quick to point out though that the player under the injury cloud is Nicho Hynes and the back-up plan should Hynes pull out is actually Keary not Burton — but Keary is free to play for the Roosters on Sunday.
“It just seems like it’s one rule for one and not for the other,” he said.
Meanwhile, Queensland legend Gorden Tallis believes Burton could easily play for the Bulldogs on Friday, return to camp the next day and be ready to go by Wednesday.
When challenged on the risk of Burton missing a day of training he brought up the fact that there’s no major concerns about Queensland star Harry Grant missing a day of training due to an illness.