Jacob Preston’s State of Origin Hopes Remain Alive
Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston has been given a reprieve after escaping with a fine for a controversial incident during a match on Thursday night. The incident involved a late hit on Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa, which initially raised concerns about Preston’s chances of making a potential State of Origin debut.
Preston was sin-binned and placed on report after hitting Katoa in the back following a pass. This type of contact has been under scrutiny in recent years as part of an NRL crackdown. Fans and commentators were divided over the incident, which had the potential to derail Preston’s hopes of playing in the State of Origin series.
With only one game remaining before the teams are finalized for Origin 1, any additional suspension would have ruled out Preston. However, the match review committee determined that the incident constituted a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge, resulting in a $1000 fine. This outcome has provided a much-needed relief for Preston, who is now in line for a possible debut for New South Wales.
This situation is not new for Preston, as he was previously banned for Origin 1 last year after receiving a suspension for a crusher tackle. Although he was not selected for the Blues in 2025, he was included in the Kangaroos squad for the end-of-season Ashes tour.
Preston also faced three separate charges for dangerous contact last year, all of which resulted in fines. His current situation is a positive development as he continues to pursue his dream of representing NSW in the State of Origin.
Queensland’s Tom Flegler Also Avoids Major Consequences
Similarly, Queensland hopeful Tom Flegler escaped with an $1800 fine for a careless high tackle, marking his second charge of the year. Flegler remains a strong contender for a spot on Billy Slater’s bench for the Maroons.
With incumbent NSW second-rowers Liam Martin and Angus Crichton both in doubt, Preston is now in a strong position to secure a starting spot alongside Hudson Young. Martin is unlikely to play due to a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 6, while Crichton, despite carrying a knee injury, has been named to play on Friday night.
Mixed Reactions from NRL Legends
The incident involving Preston sparked mixed reactions from NRL legends. Cowboys legend Jonathan Thurston expressed his disagreement with the decision to sin-bin Preston. “I’m in disagreeance there,” he said when Preston was marched. “You can see it’s only minimal; he just passed it before he made contact. I think they got that call wrong.”
On the other hand, Cameron Smith acknowledged the current state of the game, stating that such actions are no longer tolerated. “The game, it just doesn’t cop it anymore,” Smith said on Channel 9. “Any late contact when they’re unaware, it’s automatically to the sin bin. A lot of people could say a little bit harsh, but that’s where the game is now.”
Bulldogs Coach Disappointed
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was clearly frustrated with the decision. After the 44-12 loss, he commented: “I don’t know what you want him to do. Katoa’s got the ball, he’s going to tackle him, and then he releases it a millisecond before he hits him. I don’t know. I don’t understand it.”
