Along with the injured Tohu Harris, the Warriors will rest more than half a dozen players for the final regular season match against the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday in Brisbane.
With a top-four spot secure, the game is essentially a dead rubber, giving Warriors coach Andrew Webster the option to prioritise the playoff game the following weekend.
There are varied opinions around rest and rotation but there is a lot of upside for the Warriors. Along with taking injury risks out of the equation, it would also allow players to recharge and recover from niggles and knocks, which offers the best possible build-up for the qualifying final.
Introducing some new faces would also add energy to the environment for Saturday and give game time to squad members who may be needed in the coming weeks.
With Harris rested, Dylan Walker – arguably the NRL signing of the year and a key game-changer off the bench – will start at loose forward and captain the side.
The halfback is the most important player in Webster’s squad and has carried a massive load in 2023. He has featured in all 23 matches, even finding a way to play around the birth of his second child. Johnson is also managing a quadricep strain.
The standoff is sidelined after picking up a hamstring strain against the Dragons. The timeline for his return to action is yet to be determined.
Has never played so well, or so much. Like Johnson, has been an ever-present, averaging a remarkable 60 minutes a match in the engine room. He has already accumulated more than 4000 running metres (his previous career high was 3600) along with 645 tackles (previous best 544) and a phenomenal 1527 post-contact metres.
Egan sets the tone for the Warriors attack from dummy half and is a non-stop defender. The 26-year-old has darted over for five tries, while also contributing five try assists. Has missed four games through injury or concussion and left the field early in three others. Would surely benefit from a break.
