Former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue expects Blake Austin and Josh Reynolds to play with a point to prove when they clash on Sunday after NSW snubbed them for bolter Dylan Walker.
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Manly's Walker became one of the biggest left-field selections in Origin history when Blues coach Laurie Daley named him in a 19-man squad on Tuesday, and guaranteed his selection on the bench for game one next Wednesday.
Walker's form has been mixed since joining the Sea Eagles from Souths this year, and he has been shifted to centre from five-eighth after failing to fire in the halves.
Many observers believe Austin, Reynolds or Cronulla youngster Jack Bird would be a better option on the bench, given they are capable of filling more positions than Walker.
After an injury-interrupted start to the year, Austin had arguably his best game of the season in Canberra's 38-12 thrashing of the Warriors on Saturday.
The 25-year-old scored an individual try and made 21 of 22 tackles when the Warriors' forwards attempted to expose him.
Bulldogs star Reynolds scored an opportunistic four-pointer against the Roosters on Sunday, and both players possess fierce competitiveness and energy.
Their exclusion should guarantee they will play with chips on their shoulders in an engrossing five-eighth battle at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
"If it's me, and maybe I'm a bit biased, I'd put [Austin] in the side and he'd do a great job," Tongue said.
"Whether he's hard done by or just the [injury] circumstances, maybe he's just been unlucky.
"I think most people agree he's not far away and if he keeps playing and stays fit, there's still another couple of Origin games to go.
"Blake's a big body too, which is really important in Origin with the physicality.
"He can play a number of positions. You could throw him in the back row or lock, the halves or even the centres, he's got some real versatility and can't be far away.
"That [Walker selection] was the decision which caught a few off guard ... he has an ability to play in the halves or outside backs, but he can't fill in in the forwards. It will be interesting to see how he's used," Tongue said.
The Raiders are expected to lose only back Josh Papalii for Origin, who will be named for Queensland on Tuesday night.
Canterbury will be without forwards David Klemmer and Josh Jackson through Origin duty.
Bulldogs centre Josh Morris is on standby, but will be released to play should Josh Dugan prove his fitness.
Tongue believes the Bulldogs pack will be looking to square the ledger after they were monstered by the Raiders in a 22-8 win at Belmore in round five.
The Raiders racked up over 300 more running metres and only missed nine tackles to Canterbury's 25.
Canberra's defensive line speed and halfback Aidan Sezer's kicking game strangled the Bulldogs.
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The Raiders will be searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening two rounds of the year.
"When the Raiders beat them at Belmore, for me that was their best game of the year," Tongue said.
"It was such a professional display, it was a real tradesman-like performance and they were just brilliant."
In last year's corresponding match in Canberra, Reynolds sealed a 41-34 victory for Canterbury with a last-gasp field goal after the Raiders had rallied from 26-0 down after 18 minutes to draw level at 34-all.
NRL ROUND 12
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs, Canberra Stadium, 4pm. Tickets: Ticketek.
TV: Live on WIN and Fox Sports 1.
