Ethan Strange has overcome an ankle injury to be named on NSW's bench for the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night. The 21-year-old playmaker rolled his ankle at training on Thursday, casting doubt over his availability for the series finale.
Strange passes fitness test at final training session
The Blues had set Monday as the deadline for Strange to prove his fitness, and he managed to run at training at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, completing the team's penultimate session. NSW officials were satisfied the Canberra Raiders star would be fit to hold his place on the six-man bench. Matt Burton, who had been on standby to replace Strange, returned to Sydney on Monday to prepare for Canterbury's clash with Canberra.
Strange underwent extensive treatment on his left ankle and has been walking with ease in recent days. His recovery is a welcome boost for NSW, who lost Mitch Moses and Casey McLean to injuries ahead of games one and two, respectively.
Strange's importance to the Blues
Strange was close to the Blues' best player in game one, replacing the injured Moses as NSW pulled off the greatest comeback in Origin history to win. "You've seen what he did in game one," Blues prop Mitch Barnett said before training on Monday. "I just think he's a footballer, when given an opportunity to play anywhere on the field, he delivers. He's an important piece of the puzzle."
Strange may not be deployed from the bench on Wednesday but will be relied upon in the event of an injury to starting halves Nathan Cleary and Moses. He came on for a late cameo in the Blues' game-two loss.
Teammates confident in Strange's recovery
Blues teammates had always been privately hopeful Strange would be fine to play. "The ankle, I'm not a doctor but I've had a couple of them, they're pretty easy to strap and that sort of thing," Barnett said. "I think it's a bit different if you're going a hamstring or soft tissue sort of thing. But he just rolled his ankle."
