18th Mann: Bulldogs frustrated to lose another player to 18th man duties, but club thrilled to have so many players in the Origin teams

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is frustrated that his side will be without Kurt Mann for Thursday night’s game against the Dolphins, but he can’t begrudge the veteran utility who will be 18th man for the Maroons in the State of Origin opener. It’s not the first time the Bulldogs have lost a key player who has been a part of the Origin squad but hasn’t actually played, with star five-eighth Matt Burton picked as NSW 18th man several times over the past couple of years. “Considering we play Thursday night and Origin isn’t until next Wednesday (it is a bit frustrating) but in saying that, we want our players in and around that arena, especially someone like Kurt, who has worked so hard for a long time,” Ciraldo said. “We would never begrudge him of that, but it is quite frustrating to lose a player to 18th man. “I haven’t spoken to the Maroons, that’s not for us. We’re just really happy that he’s there. We hope he has a great week and comes back to us a better player.” Mann, 32, has been in the Queensland squad before, with his latest selection capping an 11-year journey that started at the Storm where he scored the winning try on debut in a team featuring Maroons coach Billy Slater. Mann has been a key cog in the middle for the Bulldogs, with his speed and ball-playing perfectly complementing their style of attack. “I think he was 18th man early in his career, and he’s been behind some really good guys in that Queensland team,” Ciraldo said. “To get picked again, to be in that scene at 32 years old shows the type of character he is. “He probably makes out that he’s a lot younger than he is, but the experience he’s brought to our club and the impact he’s had on our younger players is immeasurable.” Meanwhile, Ciraldo has praised Max King for his perseverance over the years to overcome injuries that threatened to end his career, with the prop forward set to make his Origin debut for the Blues next week. Canterbury’s pack has been criticised for its lack of size in recent years, but King has stepped up time and time again to help his side punch above its weight. “Just knowing his journey and what he’s been through and how hard he’s worked over the last three years was awesome for us as a club and for Max himself,” he said. “He’s just so reliable. In my time here, he’s been someone I can rely on every game. When we need big minutes or when we need someone to go above and beyond, Max is the guy I turn to. “I think his game has got better and better over the last three years. This year he came in day one of the pre-season and told us what he wanted to do, and he’s gone and done it.”