Frizell Called In To Replace Graham

NSW VB Blues Coach Laurie Daley tonight expressed his disappointment for Graham.

Graham received a grade one careless high tackle charge over a hit on Johnathan Thurston during Cronulla’s 13-10 win over the Cowboys on Monday night.

Daley considered Penrith star Bryce Cartwright, who is already in camp with Jack Bird as a development players, to fill Graham’s role, but opted for the more experienced St George Illawarra backrower.

Long an advocate for a fines system to police low grade charges – think Isaac Luke missing the 2014 grand final because of a minor infringement – Marshall admitted Graham was “no chance” to make his Origin debut in seven days time given the vagaries of the judiciary system.

Dragons fullback Josh Dugan, who was a late withdrawal from game one, has been overlooked for selection despite being touch and go to prove he has overcome the elbow injury he suffered against South Sydney in round 11.

Daley said Frizell was the natural choice of replacement if Graham was suspended.

“Obviously he’s been around for a while and is playing in a really good team”. That’s how it worked out.

“It provides continuity and there are a number of guys playing off Monday night, we’re going to have less training sessions this camp”.

“He won’t be overawed”. Which is exactly what he found in North Queensland coach Paul Green, the man groomed for Walters’ job before turning it down. He has played a lot of games and plays tough.

“You’ve got to keep your chin up and hopefully you get another opportunity”, Daley said.

There were suggestions Walker would be promoted into the three-quarter line ahead of right centre Josh Morris, however Daley insisted the Canterbury centre would remain in the starting line-up. “It was one of those ones where he wouldn’t be able to do some contact, so, no, he wasn’t picked”, Daley said. He’ll stay with us and work out what he’s going to do and we’ll give him the support that he needs and move on.

For an age I have advocated that suspensions incurred in NRL matches should be served in NRL matches, and penalties incurred in rep games served in rep games.

‘I think the referee summed it up best.

“I think the rules certainly need to be looked at and debated”, Daley said.

“You’d expect to grow as the series goes on”. We are coming up against a Queensland side that has played a lot footy together and they know what they are doing. One of the things we need to be able to do is build and mould a team and be careful how we do it. James Maloney, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8.