Canterbury Bulldogs utility Jaeman Salmon will miss his first game of the NRL season after being hospitalised with a staph infection.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in his first year at the club following the move from Penrith to reunite with ex-Panthers assistant turned Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
But Salmon is now sitting out their Magic Round clash with Canberra at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Friday evening.
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He was diagnosed with a staph infection this week and spent a day in hospital.
Salmon had been named in the second row on Tuesday but dropped out of the side on Thursday as a result of the setback.
He was replaced in the side by Jacob Preston, who started the first four games of the season in the No.12 jumper and now gets chance to impress in a crucial clash.
A win would see the Bulldogs leap the Raiders on the ladder and move into the top eight.
Meanwhile, Magic Round was robbed of serious star power when Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was ruled out of Friday night’s clash with Manly with a knee injury.
Selwyn Cobbo moves into the role while Josiah Karapani will debut in the centres.
“Walshy has pulled up lame during the week with his knee and is not quite right today so we will leave him out bring Josiah in at left centre,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said on Thursday.
“We picked Josiah up from Souths last year. He started the year a bit slow but has really accelerated his form the last couple of weeks. I like his speed and his whole attitude shift. It is really positive for him.
“I don’t think it will be a long-term thing for Reece. I think a week (out) to get it steady. He is just favouring it, which I picked up this morning.”
The Broncos are already without captain Adam Reynolds for 12 weeks with a ruptured biceps. His absence will give Jock Madden an extended run at No.7.
Manly have their own injury woes due to the hamstring injury to Tom Trbojevic.
They will play electric centre Tolutau Koula at fullback in his 50th NRL game.
Coach Anthony Seibold said Koula was a player he had the utmost confidence in.
“Tolu Koula showed in the last couple of games last year what he can do as a fullback,” Seibold said.
“His weapons are a bit different to Turbo’s. He has been fantastic for us and I feel as though he is just scratching the surface. He has so much potential.
“Obviously speed is a weapon and I also really like how brave he is and how hard he competes. He is just a really good young man and a real pleasure to coach.”
The Sea Eagles welcome back boom back-rower Haumole Olokau’atu from a two-week suspension. They lost both games he missed and the NSW Blues hopeful will add physicality and skill on the edge.
