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Who wins the first of three games?
The $3.5m problem caused by South Sydney’s Big Four
By Christian Nicolussi
South Sydney’s Big Four – Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and skipper Cameron Murray – have played five out of a possible 35 NRL games together for the club. Don’t expect that figure to improve anytime soon.
The latest injury blow, a Wighton calf injury that will see him miss up to six weeks, has paved the way for Englishman Lewis Dodd to start in the halves against Newcastle at Magic Round on Saturday afternoon.
Big-money Bunnies: Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameroon MurrayCredit: Michael Howard
Englishman Dodd was last year plucked from the Super League on a deal worth around $650,000 a season, but struggled to force his way into first grade until a couple of weeks ago.
Coach Wayne Bennett was in a jovial mood at Friday’s captain’s run when asked about Dodd’s belated starting berth, and said: “He’s getting paid well to wait.”
Read the full story here.
Knights team list: no changes
No changes for Adam O’Brien’s Knights, who are desperate to snap a five-game losing streak.
1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. James Schiller, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Kai Pearce Paul, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Brodie Jones
Adam Elliott returns for the Knights today.Credit: Getty Images
Rabbitohs team list: Dodd makes debut in the halves
Finally, English import Lewis Dodd gets his chance to start in the halves.
With injuries to Jamie Humphreys, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and a suspension for Latrell Mitchell, Dodd finally gets to start at five-eighth for the Rabbitohs.
1. Jye Gray, 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hope, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Isaiah Tass, 19. Lewis Dodd, 7. Jayden Sullivan, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Tevita Tatola (c), 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Jai Arrow, 14. Liam Le Blanc, 15. Lachlan Hubner, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Fletcher Myers
Lewis Dodd finally gets his chance in the halves.
Who wins the first of three games?
Welcome
Here we go again my friends.
If you think the election is the most magical thing to happen today, you would be wrong, it’s the triple header at Suncorp Stadium for day two of magic round.
Billie Eder here to take you through the action today, with Christian Nicolussi also on the ground to provide expert insight.
First up is the Rabbitohs and Knights from 3pm, before Warriors and Cowboys play at 5:30pm, followed by Tigers and Dragons to close out the night at 7:45pm.
I’ll bring you team lists and news until kick-off. Enjoy.
