Blake Ferguson's appearance at the Sydney Roosters' final training session before Monday's NRL clash with Melbourne will have a couple of coaches excited and another a little nervous.
Ferguson is set to return much earlier than expected from an ankle injury against the Storm at Allianz Stadium, provided he pulls up well following Sunday's hitout.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is surprised and pleased to have Ferguson in the frame so soon, while NSW State of Origin mentor Laurie Daley will also be delighted to see the former Blues speedster back.
Should Ferguson play against the Storm, he could have a couple of NRL games under his belt before Daley names his team for Origin II at the MCG on June 17 and will surely be in contention.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be less keen to have his team face centre Ferguson, who has scored three tries in his four games for the Roosters.
Injured in late March, Ferguson was initially expected to be out for at least four months.
He was recently tipped to make an early return against St George Illawarra in round 15, still three weeks away.
"It's pretty surprising actually. I thought he'd come back and take another week or two to get back into training, but he's flown back in," said Robinson on Sunday.
Ferguson, who has scored three tries in his four games for the Roosters, returned to training last Monday after spending two weeks in the US receiving treatment on the injury.
"In the end, it's Blake's desire to get back, do everything right and it's been a credit to him and our staff," said Robinson.
There are nine players in line to back up from Origin I on Monday, although Melbourne's Queensland fullback Billy Slater is in doubt for the match with a shoulder injury.
Robinson said the Roosters' five-man Origin contingent had a light training load this week and were ready to go.
Like Origin I, a Cooper Cronk field goal decided a one-point game the last time the Roosters and Storm clashed.
Melbourne came away with a 17-16 win at a wet AAMI Park.
This clash isn't about Mitchell Pearce versus Cronk, according to Robinson, who backed the NSW five-eighth to bounce back after criticism for the failure to orchestrate a late NSW field goal against Queensland.
"I've had faith in Mitchell for a long period of time. I'm very happy with where he is at," he said.
"We want to make sure that we are all working towards taking time away from Cronk."
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Roosters have won five of seven post Origin matches with one draw, while Melbourne have won just four of eight.
* Melbourne have won 26 of 36 Monday night matches since 2007, the best record of any team.
* Storm captain Cameron Smith has won just three of 10 NRL matches at Allianz Stadium, his worst record at any venue he has played at more than once.
Share
