LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Melbourne Storm announced that young talent Jack Howarth will be sidelined for several weeks due to appendicitis surgery, consequently missing State of Origin 3.
Howarth, who was the 19th man for Queensland in Origin 2, was considered a strong candidate for a back-line change by coach Billy Slater for the decisive game.
At just 22, Howarth has been a focus for Slater over the past year, but his path has been marred by injuries.
Earlier in 2025, he missed six weeks because of a dislocated shoulder, which excluded him from Origin 1, and now appendicitis has further diminished his chances for Game 3.
Storm General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi said on Wednesday: "Jack came down with appendicitis yesterday (Tuesday) and had surgery to remove his appendix last night.
Unfortunately, it rules Jack out for the next few weeks, including this Sunday's game against the Sharks and State of Origin with Queensland."
According to NRL Physio Brien Seeney, the typical recovery time after appendix surgery is 3-5 weeks, with the fastest recorded recovery being Adam Reynolds in 2017, who returned after just two weeks.
This setback is particularly disappointing for Howarth, who was making a strong case for Origin selection following a breakout year in 2024.
Despite the emergence of Robert Toia as a standout for the Maroons, many believed Howarth was poised to take a leading role before his injury woes.
Reflecting on his development, Howarth acknowledged the influence of fellow Storm and Queensland star Harry Grant in his ascent to becoming a potential Origin player.
Howarth signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January 2022, but it wasn't until 2024 that he secured a consistent spot in the highly competitive Storm back-line.
This current injury challenges his progress, as he remains determined to prove his worth on the big stage.