As unlikely as it seemed at the start of the week, rumours continue to swirl that inspirational Canterbury Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton may indeed play against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.
Should it happen, it would cap one of the more remarkable injury recoveries (or greatest injury ruses) in NRL finals history, with original fears the star centre’s season was over after being forced from the field early against the Storm in week one of the NRL finals.
While great news for his team, the knock-on impact of a surprise Crichton inclusion could also end the Bulldogs career of Cowboys-bound hooker Reed Mahoney.
The permutations of Stephen Crichton’s potential return were discussed at length on NRL 360 with the strong mail being Toby Sexton would remain in Cameron Ciraldo’s seventeen no matter what, after the 24-year-old put in an eye-catching performance against the Storm.
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That puts Reed Mahoney squarely in the selection crosshairs yet again despite being currently named on the interchange bench for the Panthers clash.
“Reed Mahoney is unlikely to play if Crichton plays,” journalist Brett Read explained, suggesting Mahoney would be the man to make way with Sexton pushed to the bench to accomodate a shift by Matt Burton back into the halves alongside Lachlan Galvin.
“But if Crichton doesn’t play, that changes everything,” he continued.
“Reed Mahoney then potentially starts the game with Bailey Hayward coming off the bench because it gives them more versatility.”
In other words, it’s all or nothing for Mahoney this weekend.
Given late changes and selection charades have become a regular occurrence for Cameron Ciraldo this season, few would be game to bet what is actually going to happen on Sunday afternoon.
But one thing is for certain—only one of the Bulldogs or Panthers will remain in contention for the NRL premiership heading into week three of the finals.