Walker in the mix but all-star cast of No.7s still missing

If there’s one position on the field a coach craves stability it’s halfback, but as we head into Round 7 of the Telstra Premiership only seven No.7s have managed to play every game of the season.

Roosters playmaker Sam Walker is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from concussion for the heavyweight showdown against the Storm but Penrith’s Nathan Cleary (hamstring), Parramatta’s Mitch Moses (foot) and Bronco Adam Reynolds (hamstring) remain sidelined.

The Eels have the vastly experienced Dylan Brown holding down the No.7 jersey and coming off a win over the Cowboys, while Reynolds’ deputy Jock Madden will have taken plenty of confidence out of his assured display in the victory over the Dolphins in his 24th career game.

Among the halfbacks to fall by the wayside since Round 1 are Dolphin Sean O’Sullivan and Titan Tanah Boyd, who have both been dropped, and Rabbitoh Lachlan Ilias, who was omitted from Jason Demetriou’s top 17 before being injured in NSW Cup.

The men who have managed to stay injury-free and maintain their form through the opening six rounds are Nicho Hynes, Jamal Fogarty, Daly Cherry-Evans, Shaun Johnson, Ben Hunt, Drew Hutchison and Chad Townsend.

It’s no coincidence that five of the sides sitting in the top eight – Sharks, Raiders, Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Warriors - boast a halfback who has played every game in 2024.

The Panthers and Storm have overcome chopping and changing in the key playmaking role to also sit inside the eight while the Dolphins made their call early on replacing O'Sullivan with Katoa.

The 20-year-old has risen to the challenge in style, taking the Dolphins to three wins and one loss in his four games at halfback.

Storm No.7 Jahrome Hughes missed Round 3 due to suspension, watching on from the sidelines as his team fell 14-12 to the Knights.

In Cleary’s absence the Panthers again turn to Brad Schneider, who steered the premiers to a win over the Roosters in Round 4 before they were outgunned by the Sea Eagles in Cherry-Evans’ club record 310th appearance.

Such is Hunt’s durability that stats supplied by show the 34-year-old has missed just three games since the start of the 2022 season.

Hunt has played 51 of the Dragons’ past 54 games, only missing matches due to Origin duty with the Maroons.

In other key selections ahead of Round 7, the Sea Eagles welcome back four big names in Jason Saab (hamstring), Matt Lodge (knee), Nathan Brown (knee) and 
Reuben Garrick (concussion) for their clash with the Titans, while Roosters skipper James Tedesco is named to return from concussion.

Wests Tigers have young gun Lachlan Galvin (suspension), John Bateman (concussion), Samuela Fainu (concussion) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) all back on deck to face the Panthers as they look for a repeat of last year's stunning upset in Bathurst.

Sam Stonestreet makes his NRL debut for the Sharks in the absence of the suspended Sione Katoa while 27-year-old Trai Fuller lines up for just his second NRL game, filling in at fullback for injured Dolphin Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.