LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Good news for Payne Haas as Daley reveals Max King moment that saw him win Origin selection: Scans have confirmed that Payne Haas' quad injury is minor, allowing him to potentially participate in State of Origin 1.
Laurie Daley highlighted a significant moment from Magic Round that influenced his decision to select Max King for the NSW team.
King, a Bulldogs prop, was named on the bench, replacing Wests Tigers' Terrell May, who many believed was a stronger candidate.
During a press briefing at the NSW camp, Daley expressed his belief that King had been performing better than May, noting that the Bulldogs' position at the top of the league exemplified this.
Daley recalled an impactful moment from the Bulldogs' victory over the Titans in Round 9, which showcased King's abilities.
He emphasized King's effort in tracking back to prevent a Titans try following an 80-meter run by Tony Francis.
After making a play near the Titans' line, King sprinted back into position and contributed significantly on defense.
Though the Titans scored shortly after King's tackle, Daley was impressed by the play.
"I think Max's actions as a footballer go unnoticed by a lot of people," he commented.
"But it doesn't go unnoticed by the coaching staff." He recounted, "There was one particular moment in Magic Round when Max had made a run, gets tackled probably four metres out.
The Dogs move the ball to the left and drop it, [Tony Francis] picks it up and runs 80 metres, gets tackled.
The Titans move the ball to the left and the next person who made that tackle was Max King."
Ultimately, Daley's recognition of King's hard work and ability to impact the game defensively played a crucial role in his selection for the Origin side.