Rapid Fire Tuesday, Round 18: Origin and Injuries Create Carnage as Finals Loom…
State of Origin and a brutal run of injuries have wreaked havoc across the NRL in Round 18, forcing coaches into major reshuffles and testing squad depth like never before. With stars unavailable and finals pressure mounting, clubs scrambled to adapt.
The Rabbitohs were left reeling with key players ruled out, while the Roosters and Sharks took heavy hits to their spine. Panthers fielded a youthful side, showcasing emerging talent, but struggled for cohesion.
Meanwhile, Broncos and Storm benefitted from better depth, grinding out crucial wins despite missing Origin reps. The Raiders, however, stumbled again—injuries to playmakers and inconsistent form raising serious questions about their finals hopes.
With just seven rounds left, the race to September is now a war of attrition as much as skill. Round 18 served as a brutal reminder: depth wins titles.
