LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
There are concerns that the NSW Blues may be using a "smokescreen" to navigate a frustrating State of Origin rule regarding player selections.
With Stephen Crichton potentially ruled out for State of Origin 1, reports indicate that Matt Burton could replace Campbell Graham in the centers.
Graham's selection as the 18th man has raised eyebrows, suggesting it might have been a tactical move to sidestep complications due to the bye week for South Sydney.
NSW coach Laurie Daley's decision to name Graham as 18th man rather than alternates like Burton or Tom Trbojevic facilitates avoiding club-level issues since Graham didn't miss any games with the bye.
Last year, the Bulldogs faced frustration when Burton was repeatedly named as the 18th man, limiting his availability for the Bulldogs during pivotal matches without a guarantee of playing time for the Blues.
The 18th man must be prepared for any last-minute replacements on game day, which prohibits participation in club games prior to Origin.
This issue arose again when Queensland's Kurt Mann was named as the 18th man but was unavailable for the Bulldogs in their match against the Dolphins, despite his presence in the Maroons camp.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed his frustration over this situation last week, commenting, "Considering we play Thursday night and Origin isn't until next Wednesday [it is a bit frustrating].
But in saying that, we want the players in and around that arena, especially someone like Kurt, who has worked so hard for a long time."
The ongoing limitation on players named as the 18th man continues to create tension between clubs and state teams, leading to questions about the fairness and effectiveness of current selection rules.