The NRL's State of Origin period is upon us, and with injuries disrupting teams, the spotlight shifts to the reserve grade and the deeper parts of squads. Round 13 of the NSW Cup and Round 11 of the QLD Cup have provided their fair share of surprises and talking points, with direct NRL implications that could significantly impact teams in the coming weeks. Luke Metcalf's return for the Warriors was a rusty comeback, showcasing his ball-playing skills but leaving his defense wanting. Metcalf's push for consistent NRL football seems to be deserting him for now, as the Warriors have a bye in both competitions this weekend. Meanwhile, Lachlan Ilias faces a ticking clock on his NRL career. Once touted as the successor to Adam Reynolds, Ilias has had a rocky journey, being dropped by three clubs and struggling with confidence after a leg injury. His game management as an out-and-out half has been a concern, and this has been evident in the QLD Cup. However, there were other notable performances in the NSW and QLD Cups, including Liam Ison's best performance since returning from an ACL injury, Melbourne's promising future with Hayden Watson, and emerging Raiders centre Mark Tuialii. In QLD, Anthony Milford continued to show his potential, and Trai Fuller celebrated a rumoured contract extension with a 70-metre solo try. The results of the NSW and QLD Cups are also worth noting, with Newcastle defeating Parramatta, Newtown beating Manly, and Melbourne routing the Roosters. As the NRL season progresses, the focus on the reserve grade and the deeper parts of squads will only intensify, and the performances in the NSW and QLD Cups will play a crucial role in shaping the future of these players.
