Knights premiership-winning halfback Jesse Southwell is among a number of players dropped from the NSW team for game one of the State of Origin series in Brisbane next Thursday.
Southwell, who made her Origin debut last year, was part of the NSW team that fell short of retaining the shield in a two-game series last year, before she helped lead Newcastle to victory in the 2023 NRLW premiership.
Jesse Southwell has been dropped by Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder.Credit: Getty
Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder has instead opted for a more experienced halfback, with Eels No.7 Rachael Pearson set to be named in the halves alongside Rooster Corban Baxter.
Baxter, who is returning to the Origin arena for the first time since giving birth early last year, has played in the No.6 jersey a handful of times, including for NSW, but plays at fullback for the Roosters.
Pearson, who was dropped for game two last year, has been struggling with a calf injury, but is expected to be fit for game one next week, however Cowboys playmaker Kirra Dibb, who has played for NSW before, is expected to be named as the 19th player to cover any potential injuries.
Jesse’s sister Hannah is also among the list of players overlooked for game one, which includes Sharks hooker Quincy Dodd, Parramatta skipper Kennedy Cherrington, Titans forward Shaylee Bent and Dragons fullback Teagan Berry. However, they are all part of a 35-person extended squad and could be called upon for game two in Newcastle on June 6, and game three in Townsville on June 27.
Hilder is set to name two debutants at the official team announcement at The Star in Sydney on Wednesday, with Roosters hooker Olivia Higgins expected to be named at No.9, and Raiders prop Grace Kemp anticipated to play off the interchange bench.
Caitlan Johnston returns to the team after missing last year’s series due to injury, while Raiders enforcer Simaima Taufa will sit out game one again this year as she returns from shoulder surgery.
The back line will be mostly unchanged from the players that lined up last year, with Emma Tonegato, Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Tiana Penitani expected to be named one-to-five.
Maroons coach Tahnee Norris named her squad last week, where she selected 16 players from her 2023 campaign, including Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw. Titans Sienna Lofipo an Skyla Adams and Cowboy Makenzie Weale were also selected in the Maroons team that went into camp, and will make their Origin debut if named in the 1-17 on game day.
The Sky Blues will head into camp on Thursday before making their way up to Brisbane next week.
