South Sydney have suffered a big blow ahead of their preliminary final clash against Penrith after centre Campbell Graham suffered a minor groin injury.
โCampbell Graham wonโt be playingโฆ heโs got a bit of a groin problem and we just havenโt had enough time to get it right,โ Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett told Sydney Morning Herald.
โWeโve been managing it for a month nowโฆ Weโd prefer heโs playing but heโs not. Weโve managed injuries all year and weโll manage this one.โ
Grahamโs omission means that the stage is set for Jed Cartwright to start in the centres, pitting him against the team that moved him on months ago.
A night to remember for our debutant Jed Cartwright! Nice work lad! ๐#1163 ๐ชโค๏ธ๐ #GoRabbitohs #OldestProudestLoudest pic.twitter.com/GaJVEtTce0
— South Sydney Rabbitohs ๐ฐ (@SSFCRABBITOHS) September 11, 2020
Cartwright left the Panthers mid-season citing a lack of opportunities and has since played five games for the Rabbitohs this year.
โHeโs played a lot of centre in his football career, itโs not something he hasnโt played before,โ Bennett said.
โI see a really good football player there. Heโs well skilled, heโs got good attributesโฆ I just like what he brings, the players like playing with him.
โWe can trust him.โ
Jed Cartwright masterclass vs his former club, just had to happen didnt it https://t.co/M5pBJXlSjX
— sam (@sammiee_k) October 16, 2020
The Cartwright name has been synonymous with the Panthers, with Jedโs father John playing over 180 games for the Panthers and representing both New South Wales and Australia during his career.
โItโs a great nameโฆ His father was a wonderful player, I coached against his father,โ Bennett said.
โHis grandfather was very instrumental in building the club. Itโs 2020 now, heโs (Jed) playing for Souths.โ
Jed came from the Gold Coast to play at Penrith. If he was brilliant, heโd have been in first grade all the time at the Gold Coast & Penrith.