Snubbed NSW star Campbell Graham could still play for South Sydney this weekend after a mysterious turn of events that saw him withdrawn from the Blues’ extended squad due to injury.
Graham missed selection in Brad Fittler’s NSW 17 for Game 1 of this year’s series despite being one of the competition form players, as Tom Trbojevic retained his centres spot amid long-running debate about his fitness.
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Graham was initially named as the Blues’ 18th man — and joined the playing group in camp at Coogee in Sydney on Monday morning — but team officials later announced he had been withdrawn from the squad due to a sternum injury and replaced by Penrith’s Stephen Crichton.
South Sydney released a statement later on Monday suggesting Graham could line up for the Rabbitohs in Saturday’s clash away to Canberra, saying the player had been withdrawn from the Blues because he would not be able to train properly.
There are 10 days remaining before and series opener and it’s not clear why the decision was not made before the player arrived in camp.
“For a number of weeks, Graham has been managing his training loads at the beginning of each week to allow him to be fit on game day,” Souths’ statement read.
“Unfortunately, this meant he would not be able to be fully involved in the Blues early sessions this week and, as a result, they withdrew him from the squad.
“Graham will return to the Rabbitohs squad today and he will be assessed throughout the week as to whether he is fit to play in Saturday’s game against the Canberra Raiders.”
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Graham has been lauded for his form, in both attack and defence, this season with ex-Blues star Michael Ennis saying in commentary on Friday the 23-year-old “could not have done any more” to get himself a call-up to the NSW starting side.
Many, including Fox League’s Matty Johns, had Graham in their best Blues sides but Trbojevic’s stunning, and timely, return to form for Manly on Sunday afternoon was likely a spanner in the works to the South Sydney star’s hopes.
