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The Bulldogs may be forced to call upon the untried Damien Cook to fill their dummy-half void with hooker Michael Lichaa ruled out for the rest of the year.
Lichaa has the highest grade of syndesmosis which includes a fracture in his ankle and will need to undergo surgery which will rule him out until 2016. He also has further damage to his right leg after he was caught underneath Titans veteran Greg Bird after four minutes of Sunday's win for the Bulldogs. With Josh Reynolds still sidelined, Cook shapes as the likely option to start at dummy half. The 24-year-old has played four top-grade games since making his NRL debut for St George Illawarra in 2013. He added two more games for the Bulldogs last year but has not played in the NRL since round 17 last season.
Hooking option: Damien Cook. Photo: Getty Images
If Reynolds was available he or Moses Mbye would have shifted to dummy half. Mbye played at hooker in last year's grand final while Michael Ennis was injured.
Reynolds has removed his brace after injuring his knee against the Sharks in round 20. It is expected Reynolds will resume running this week, meaning he is at least a week away. Bulldogs coach Des Hasler could start back-rower Josh Jackson at dummy half in the opening exchanges of their clash against South Sydney on Friday before bringing Cook on from the interchange bench.
Just like last year's grand final – the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs have hooking woes heading into their match. Luke – who was suspended for last years decider before being replaced by Api Koroisau – is again banned.
Ruled out: Canterbury hooker Michael Lichaa won't play again in 2015.
His absence presents a headache for South Sydney coach Michael Maguire as back-up rake Cameron McInness has not played since hurting his ankle in round 19. It is understood he has started running and is close to making his return.
Should he not be available, the Rabbitohs may opt for Paul Carter – whose career was at the cross-roads only months ago. Carter played his first NRL game on Thursday night since being sacked by the Titans for repeated drink-driving offences.
The Rabbitohs will also be without five-eighth Luke Keary who will be banned for one game because of a shoulder charge. South Sydney received some good news with John Sutton (glute) and Greg Inglis (concussion and jaw) expected to be cleared to play against the Bulldogs according to Rabbitohs high performance manager Troy Thompson, after both failed to complete the game against the Cowboys
Lichaa has the highest grade of syndesmosis which includes a fracture in his ankle and will need to undergo surgery which will rule him out until 2016. He also has further damage to his right leg after he was caught underneath Titans veteran Greg Bird after four minutes of Sunday's win for the Bulldogs. With Josh Reynolds still sidelined, Cook shapes as the likely option to start at dummy half. The 24-year-old has played four top-grade games since making his NRL debut for St George Illawarra in 2013. He added two more games for the Bulldogs last year but has not played in the NRL since round 17 last season.
If Reynolds was available he or Moses Mbye would have shifted to dummy half. Mbye played at hooker in last year's grand final while Michael Ennis was injured.
Reynolds has removed his brace after injuring his knee against the Sharks in round 20. It is expected Reynolds will resume running this week, meaning he is at least a week away. Bulldogs coach Des Hasler could start back-rower Josh Jackson at dummy half in the opening exchanges of their clash against South Sydney on Friday before bringing Cook on from the interchange bench.
Just like last year's grand final – the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs have hooking woes heading into their match. Luke – who was suspended for last years decider before being replaced by Api Koroisau – is again banned.
His absence presents a headache for South Sydney coach Michael Maguire as back-up rake Cameron McInness has not played since hurting his ankle in round 19. It is understood he has started running and is close to making his return.
Should he not be available, the Rabbitohs may opt for Paul Carter – whose career was at the cross-roads only months ago. Carter played his first NRL game on Thursday night since being sacked by the Titans for repeated drink-driving offences.
The Rabbitohs will also be without five-eighth Luke Keary who will be banned for one game because of a shoulder charge. South Sydney received some good news with John Sutton (glute) and Greg Inglis (concussion and jaw) expected to be cleared to play against the Bulldogs according to Rabbitohs high performance manager Troy Thompson, after both failed to complete the game against the Cowboys
