Latest news with #StateofOrigin3
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blow for Melbourne Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of State of Origin 3
The Melbourne Storm have revealed young star Jack Howarth will miss the next few weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix, ruling him out of State of Origin 3. The centre was 19th man for Queensland in Origin 2 and the next cab off the rank if coach Billy Slater wanted to make a change to his back-line for the decider. The 22-year-old has been on Slater's radar for the last 12 months, but has endured an injury-plagued season in 2025. He missed six weeks earlier this year after dislocating his shoulder, which ruled him out of contention for Origin 1. And appendicitis has now seen his chances of playing in Game 3 ruined as well. The Storm's General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi revealed 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 renowned 'NRL Physio' Brien Seeney, the usual return to play timeframe after an appendix removal is 3-5 weeks. Seeney noted the fastest return after appendix surgery was Adam Reynolds in 2017, who only missed two weeks. It comes as a cruel blow for Howarth, who's been knocking down the door for Origin selection after a breakout year in 2024. Robert Toia has emerged as a State of Origin star for the Maroons, but it looked like Howarth had his nose in front before the shoulder injury ruined his chances of debuting in Game 1. Jack Howarth is out this week after requiring surgery to have his appendix removed. Storm expect him to miss at least a few weeks (+ Origin 3).Return time can vary, but most are in the 3-5 week range. Quickest - Adam Reynolds returned just 2 weeks post appendix removal in 2017. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 25, 2025 Speaking last month, Howarth revealed how fellow Storm and Queensland star Harry Grant helped turn him into an emerging Origin player. The former Australian Schoolboys star signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January of 2022, but it took him until 2024 to get a regular gig in the Storm's star-studded back-line. "I lived with Harry Grant for a year and he would cut clips up for me and tell me what I was doing right and what I needed to do better to be in the team," Howarth told AAP. "Harry had explained to me a few things I had to change because what I thought was important is a lot different to what (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy thinks is important." He added: "Craig is a very effort area type of person and I was always more concerned with how I went in attack. That is what I would base my game off, whereas he based a good game off defence and effort so I realised that and switched my mentality. "My dream is to play for Queensland. It is the pinnacle of rugby league, especially coming from Rockhampton and doing all my schooling in Brisbane. Just being amongst all the Origins in Brisbane growing up was crazy. Hopefully I do get the opportunity." RELATED: Corey Parker calls for premiership-winning coach to stand down now Wonderful family development amid sad news about Steve Mortimer Howarth revealed he's been receiving one-on-one tutelage from Slater - a Melbourne Storm legend. "Billy does show me a few clips from games," Howarth said. "He is very similar to Craig. It is the effort areas that he wants me to do well in." with AAP
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wonderful family development amid awful news about NRL legend Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer's daughter Erin has spoken of her "honour" and "privilege" after being asked to sing the national anthem at State of Origin 3 in Sydney. Erin's father Steve is a rugby league legend having won premierships with the Bulldogs and Origin series with NSW. The 68-year-old was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and is now in a care home, and son Andrew revealed last month he doesn't think his father knows how well his beloved Bulldogs are travelling. Speaking to the on Monday, Erin revealed she's been invited to sing the anthem at the Origin decider on July 9, and will dedicate it to her dad. 'I'm very excited, humbled and honoured on a personal note but also the sense of occasion,' she said. 'Given what dad is going through, I'm grateful and privileged." It's the 40-year anniversary of Mortimer's famous triumph with the Blues in the 1985 Origin series - the first time NSW lifted the shield. 'The adrenaline, nerves and anticipation before kick-off will be amazing, so I can only imagine what dad was feeling 40 years ago before that iconic first series win in '85," Erin added. 'Those images of him being lifted up on his teammates' shoulders and kissing the SCG turf will be rolling around in my mind when I walk onto the field. It will be a little bittersweet that he can't walk me out, but I will be dedicating that anthem to my dad and all of NSW." Erin is a vocalist, performer and song-writer. This will mark her third time singing the anthem at a State of Origin game after she did so in 2008 and 2013. Steve played 272 games for the Bulldogs across a legendary career, winning four premierships with the club and captaining them in the 1984 and 1985 title victories. He also played 16 Origin games for NSW and nine Test matches for Australia. The legendary halfback led the Blues to their first Origin series victory in 1985. He's been battling the effects of dementia for nearly a decade (despite it only being public knowledge for four years), and last month his son shone a heartbreaking new light on his condition. Mortimer's beloved Bulldogs are first on the NRL ladder after 16 rounds in 2025, but Andrew isn't sure his father is aware. "It's is a shame because they are absolutely killing it," Andrew told the . Andrew revealed his father struggles to complete full sentences, and his health is slowly declining. "I don't know whether dad is thinking of something but can't articulate it, or he's not thinking it, but there's not much verbally, unfortunately," he said. 'I would say he's on a slow decline. I'm sure people who see him a few months apart, or a year, would see significant change. He is seemingly calm, somewhat at peace with the situation and probably somewhat oblivious. 'I would suggest that he's probably at the stage where he's observing life around him, rather than fully participating. We know that you don't get cured from dementia. You don't improve so, for us, it's quality of life. We try to take the approach: 'what he can do', not 'what he can't do'." RELATED: State of Origin player floated for immediate NRL club switch Billy Slater calls out glaring truth as NRL makes call on Origin 3 ref On Monday, Erin said her dad is "happy, comfortable and relaxed". She added: 'The regular stream of visitors, family and friends is very special and important at this stage. Bringing our kids - dad's grandkids - to see him is very important because of that face-to face connection and engagement. It sparks joy.'
