Depleted Dogs still a big danger

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REVVED-up Canterbury players have spoken about the siege mentality master coach Des Hasler is set to implement at Belmore in the ugly aftermath to their Good Friday clash.

Hasler is renowned for rallying his playing group in a crisis and the five-time grand final coach is ready to bring his depleted side together tighter than ever before for Sunday's clash with in-form St George Illawarra.

David Klemmer and James Graham confront the referee during the Souths game. Source: Getty Images

In another day of drama on Tuesday following the Bulldogs' controversial loss to South Sydney:

* All four Bulldogs players charged — James Graham, David Klemmer, Michael Lichaa (all contrary conduct, dissent) and Sam Kasiano (dangerous contact with the head/neck) took early pleas;

* Hasler was forced to name five new players in his side to play St George Illawarra this Sunday at ANZ Stadium; and

* Canterbury desperately wanted to contest Graham's contrary conduct charge but reluctantly backed-out on legal advice at the last minute.

Hasler, the master at mind games dating back to his Manly days, will come out firing when cornered.

"I guess we're down on troops now. It's always the tough times where the tough people come out and Dessy is certainly one of them and he wants his teams to be tough," star centre Josh Morris said.

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"It's about overcoming those challenges and we have one ahead of us for the next month with injuries and suspensions."

JUDICIARY: Graham, Klemmer accept charges

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Hasler mastered the siege mentality philosophy when coaching Manly, who won premierships in 2008 and 2011.

"I can only ever speak for myself from how I know Dessy and it doesn't matter what kind of corner he's backed into or what difficult situation we're facing he's always a fighter. I like to see myself like that as well and I guess that's why all the boys like playing for him," said Sam Perrett, who will replace the injured Brett Morris at fullback.

And prop Aiden Tolman added: "Going off what (Des) has done in the past, and previously at Manly as well, when backs were against the wall he always seems to get the most out of his players.

"At the end of the day Des can only do so much and it's up to the players to go out there on the weekend and make sure they perform. I've got 100 per cent confidence in the team. Whatever team we name on the weekend is going to do a good job."

Brett Morris will miss the Dragons match with a hamstring injury. Source: Getty Images

For his two charges — one of dissent and one for dangerous contact over the charge down-attempt that injured Rabbitohs half-back Adam Reynolds, Graham will be suspended for four matches.

Klemmer will miss three games, forward partner Kasiano two games while Lichaa will be available for the Dragons game.

With Brett Morris (hamstring) and centre Tim Lafai (knee) out long-term through injury, Tim Browne, Lloyd Perrett, Antonio Kaufusi, Chase Stanley and Corey Thompson come into the 17.

Asked did he feel the club was "hard done by", forward Josh Jackson said: "It's hard to say. You look at things and people see them differently but at the end of the day rules are rules.

"It'll be hard to play without guys like James and a strange feeling not to play alongside him but I'm sure we still have enough experience in our team with guys like Aiden Tolman and Frank Pritchard — who will step up for us off the bench — so we're not lacking there."

Pressed to discuss the 'Bulldogs haters' on social media, Jackson said: "I try to stay away from all the media and social media so by distancing myself from it I think it's the best course of action."

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Big brother Izzy is watching

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AS LATE as Monday night, superstar code-hopper Israel Folau was texting his younger brother John, letting him know where he could tidy up some areas in his game.

The NSW Waratahs fullback had just finished watching John play his third NRL match for Parramatta in their 22-6 defeat against Wests Tigers, and thought he'd flick his little bro some pointers.

"He'll usually send me a 'good luck' text before each game, then he'll sum up how I played,'' John told The Daily Telegraph, making it clear he prefers "to be known as John, not Izzy's brother''.

Daily Telegraph — Pictured: John Folau — Parramatta Eels media hour. Photographs taken of two players that journalists talked too. Old Saleyards Reserve, Gladstone Street, Parramatta NSW Australia Source: News Corp Australia

"He told me there were a few things I needed to work on, but he was proud of me and to keep working hard at training.

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"There were small things like 'effort on effort', just doing back-to-back stuff on the field.

"I listen to him, he's been there, he's been through it all, it's just good to learn off him, and I try to make myself a better player.''

John Folau has now featured on the wing the past three games for the Eels and last week re-signed with the club for a further two years.

Given his famous surname, there was always going to be plenty of interest in the 20-year-old from the outside world.

Softly spoken, tall and with similar facial features to his famous 26-year-old brother, John is a lot heavier than Israel, and revealed he was a rampaging backrower up until a few years ago.

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"We're two different people, we have two different playing styles, Izzy is more of a quicker, skilful person, while I like the body contact and the roughness,'' John said.

"I actually grew up as a forward, and it was only when I came to Parramatta that I ended up in the outside backs.

"I'm on the wing now, but I'd say I've played less than 10 games there.

"Every game is a challenge. It's not like junior footy where you have your good teams and your bad teams — every game in the NRL is tough. That's what I've got to get used to.''

The Eels wasted no time locking down Folau, 20, declaring on the weekend the youngster would be staying put until at least the end of 2017.

Halfback Chris Sandow went to school with Israel, and recalled John sitting on the sidelines watching the pair run around for Marsden State High School in Brisbane.

"I think Johnny was taller than me even back then,'' Sandow said.

Chris Sandow says John Folau has always had a good work ethic. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

"I remember Johnny really well. He was quiet back then but to see him work really hard and get this opportunity is really good. He's a big boy who is still learning the game.''

After beating premiers Souths — and bagging two tries in the process — Folau and his teammates must somehow regroup against the Gold Coast.

The Eels' two wins this season have come at home, and Folau is sure to have fans excited each time he touches the ball.

Israel is also guaranteed to drop his brother a few encouraging text messages after the game.

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Half chance for battle of GI-ants

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THE Cowboys are preparing for Greg Inglis to make a shock switch to the halves in a move that would pit him directly against fellow superstar Johnathan Thurston.

South Sydney named John Sutton to replace half Adam Reynolds but there are suggestions Inglis could yet be moved from fullback to five-eighth with Sutton remaining in the backrow.

That would allow gun 20-year-old Alex Johnston to play in his preferred position of fullback.

Rabbit-oh's Greg Inglis during a training session at Redfern. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Johnston is off contract and being hunted by several clubs including the Gold Coast Titans and he is considering leaving Redfern for the opportunity to play fullback.

READY: Cowboys ready for Souths, says Thurston

RESURGENT: Thurston inspires Cows to victory

North Queensland beat South Sydney twice last year and have the forward pack size to combat the reigning premiers.

However, they don't have the size in their halves, Thurston and Michael Morgan, to combat Inglis who at 195cm and 105kg would be the world's biggest five-eighth.

While Thurston now wears the No. 7, he follows the ball and will consistently be marked by Inglis if he does play at five-eighth next Monday night.

Inglis wore the No. 6 for Melbourne throughout their 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons in which the Storm competed in three grand finals.

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The Rabbitohs are still missing Dylan Walker and while the game is at ANZ Stadium it presents a great opportunity for the Cowboys to extend their winning streak to three games following their defeat of the Panthers on Monday night.

Cowboys coach Paul Green backed Inglis to shine if he was shifted to five-eighth.

"There is talk of Inglis playing in the halves. He won a grand final playing five-eighth for Melbourne," Green said.

"He's no stranger to that position. There is also talk about John Sutton.

"Losing your key playmaker is a big loss. They have good replacements.

"They are a tough team."

The Cowboys are battling their own injuries with wingers Antonio Winterstein and Matthew Wright both limping today after a torrid affair in Penrith.

"We will assess the boys over the next couple of days to see how they recover," he said.

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Get rid of trouble makers, says Morris

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BULLDOGS stars Josh Morris and Aiden Tolman want the NRL to "get rid" of the culprits who threw full bottles at match officials last week.

The NRL continue to investigate the drama, with some people having already been identified. They face life bans if found guilty.

"That definitely isn't a good look. We need to find who those people are and make sure they're dealt with accordingly," Morris said.

A touch judge falls after being hit by a bottle. Source: AAP

"Ever since I've come to the club in 2009, the club has been working hard to rid themselves of that image and they have done a lot of work in regards to that.

JUDICIARY: Graham, Klemmer accept charges

NRL ROUND SIX EARLY MAIL: Mass changes for Bulldogs

INJURY CARNAGE: Full NRL casualty ward after round five

"It only takes a minority to try and throw it back in the spotlight what was happening a decade ago and we certainly don't want to have a bad image at the club as players and we don't want the fans to be portrayed that way.

"Bulldogs fans are very passionate as well but there is a minority — and they're at every club — who go out there to cause trouble. We need to go out there and find out who they are and get rid of them."

There is a chance police could charge the culprits with assault. The Bulldogs, NRL and ANZ Stadium management have held meetings.

Fellow patrons who attended the match have also been interviewed about the culprit's identities.

"You don't want to see that in any sport, especially our game. I think those guys have been caught and hopefully they get punished from whatever they see fit," Tolman said.

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"There's 40-odd thousand fans on the weekend and two misbehaved. That's not the Bulldogs. That's not what we're about.

"We're a great family club, we've got a great culture here and those sort of fans aren't welcome at our games and I'm sure they won't be in the future."

Morris meanwhile denied kicking Souths hooker Issac Luke in the face during the Friday night match. It resulted in an eight-point try but Morris wasn't charged by the match review committee.

"I didn't know why I'd been called over and if you look back at the footage I'm pretty dumbfounded about what happened. If I would have been charged, I certainly would have fought it because I thought I didn't make any contact with his head whatsoever," Morris said.

"If I did do it, I would've pleaded guilty but it's one of those things where I'm frustrated that I'm not on report but we still copped an eight-point try for it so it's a catch-22 I suppose.

Bulldogs fans react towards the match officials at full time against the Rabbitohs. Source: Getty Images

"I don't know how much my foot missed him by but I certainly know I didn't make contact and if I did I would've felt it at that stage. There were (camera) angles and freeze-frames which made it look like I did but I know within myself that I didn't and I would've apologised to Issac straight away."

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Rabbitohs to make early call on Sutton

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IT WILL be a case of Friday or bust for John Sutton with South Sydney to make an early call if their club favourite makes a miracle return from a broken jaw for the big clash against a red-hot Johnathan Thurston and his Cowboys.

Rather than wait until just before Monday night's kick-off, coach Michael Maguire said he would know Friday if Sutton would be ready to start at five-eighth, despite breaking his jaw just three weeks ago.

Adam Reynolds receives attention from the trainers after being tackled by James Graham. Source: Getty Images

Sutton will be a welcome addition for the Bunnies who have lost starting half-back Adam Reynolds to a knee injury.

READY: Cowboys ready for Souths, says Thurston

TEAM-TALK: Round six line-ups

However, Maguire confirmed Friday was also when the club would meet with a surgeon to learn the full extent of Reynolds' injury, and just how long their gun No. 7 will be out of action.

Should Sutton fail in his own bold bid to return, Maguire will have to weigh up what he does with his halves.

Greg Inglis slotted into the role at times during the Dogs' clash — he also won a Clive Churchill Medal wearing the No. 6 _ but Maguire will wait until how Sutton responds.

"Greg is doing as great job at fullback, he showed what he was capable of at five-eighth for a period of the game against the Bulldogs, but for us, John has been in the position before, and he's done a great job when he's had the opportunity,'' Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.

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"We've got to assess him at the end of the week, but we're looking forward to having him back given the circumstances. It's one of those ones where he'll need to pass a fitness test, and he'll also have to get it scanned, and we'll make a decision from there. That will be a telling factor as to which way we go.''

Maguire said Sutton had not been rushed back, and would have been selected, even if Reynolds was fit.

While Maguire focuses on Sutton — George Burgess will also fight his dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary tonight — Thurston is keen to help the Cowboys to a third straight Monday night win.

Thurston said the loss of Reynolds was huge, but Souths had no shortage of back-up halves options, including Inglis.

There is talk Greg Inglis could play in the halves against the Cowboys. Source: DailyTelegraph

Seeing Inglis and Thurston, two of the greatest players in the game, potentially go head to head in the halves would be the highlight of the round.

"It's an unfortunate injury for Adam, he's a massive link for their team, and he's a huge loss,'' Thurston told The Daily Telegraph.

"But Madge (Maguire) has a great squad, and whoever he puts in will fill the role.

''Greg has won a Clive Churchill Medal there, so I think he'd be pretty comfortable in that role.

"He's been in outstanding form, and the captaincy is obviously agreeing with him.''

As for his own form, Thurston said: "The last couple of weeks our middle third have done an outstanding job laying the platform for us. I've been able to step back and pick and choose the times I come into the game. I think that's been the key the last couple of weeks.''

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Eels’ away record twice as bad as any team

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PARRAMATTA may have to rethink switching games to ANZ Stadium — or any other away venue — with statistics showing they are now more than twice as bad on the road than any other NRL team.

The Daily Telegraph can today reveal that, following Sunday's loss to Wests Tigers at Homebush, the Eels have slumped to an atrocious away success rate of only 14.6 per cent.

Incredibly, the figure is less than half that of even nearest rivals the New Zealand Warriors, a club forced to deal with international flights, unfamiliar hotels, even currency changes every second week of the year.

Parramatta's Chris Sandow looks on as a try by Tigers James Tedesco is awarded. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Worse, the Eels decision to switch its biggest games to ANZ Stadium for financial gain are also coming at a huge cost, with the club having now lost 17 of its past 18 matches at the Olympic venue.

NEW RECRUIT: Norman doesn't fear Foran's arrival

"And I know the hoodoo or whatever you want to call it, it's being spoken about,'' Eels enforcer Anthony Watmough said. "Not by the players as such.

"But we know our record away from home, it's going to be talked about.

"We just have to stay positive because in a couple of away games this year, against Canterbury and Wests Tigers especially, we were in them up to our eyeballs. We just couldn't finish it."

Which, unfortunately, has become the ballad of Parramatta.

According to Fox Sports Statistics, the Eels have won just seven of 48 games away from Pirtek Stadium since 2012.

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Even when you include the 'home' games played at ANZ Stadium, that figure rises only slightly to 15.8 per cent — which is still almost half that of the Warriors, who have an away success rate of 30.8 per cent.

Then comes Wests Tigers (33.3 per cent), St George Illawarra (33.3 per cent) and Canberra (38 per cent).

"We have to start turning up, no matter where we play,'' Eels half-back Chris Sandow said. "Against Canterbury away, we should have won that game.

"But I got injured. Then Semi Radradra got injured.

"We just have to turn up with the right attitude. Treat it like any other patch of grass — hold the ball and complete our sets.

"We obviously have a good feeling at Pirtek Stadium ... but it has to be the same no matter where we play."

Thankfully for Parramatta fans, they face the Gold Coast this Saturday at home. Since 2012, the Eels have won 18 of 29 matches at home for a success rate of 62 per cent.

Anthony Watmough talks with referee Jared Maxwell after a knock on decision went against his side Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

But as for how they overturn their atrocious run on the road?

"We actually don't need to change too much,'' Watmough insists. "I've reminded the boys this week that against Canterbury, we were in that up to our eyeballs.

"We played that with the same intensity, the same toughness as against Manly the week before at home. Injuries just got us in the end.

"We couldn't get any ball and ran out of puff. Then against the Warriors away, we gave up way to much possession. It took it's toll.

"Then on Monday against Wests Tigers, we were in the grind for 70 minutes. This was despite the fact that, with the injuries we've had to start the year, we hardly had a backline.

"We should have won that game too — and done it with backrowers playing in the centres — but the Tigers did some freakish things and it got away from us."

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Roar keen to upgrade Borello deal

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BRISBANE Roar are in talks with teenage sensation Brandon Borrello about upgrading his full-time youth contract to an A-League deal.

Borrello's emergence has been the best part of what has been a largely disappointing season for the Roar, whose hopes of playing finals football for a fifth successive year are all but over.

Despite the Roar's woes, 19-year-old Borrello has had an impact in the A-League and AFC Champions League this season, having scored in both competitions.

The attacking weapon's form has caught the eye of scouts overseas, however he's likely to re-commit to Brisbane on an improved deal.

While discussions with Borrello continue, the Roar have signed fellow teenager Shannon Brady on a four-year A-League contract.

The Roar, currently in seventh spot and eight points outside the top six, host eighth-placed Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow (THURSDAY) night.

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Gill hopes decision ends saga

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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last night he hoped ASADA would not appeal the historic tribunal decision that cleared the "Essendon 34" of doping charges.

The anti-doping agency will hold an 11am media conference in Canberra today where its plans may be revealed.

But McLachlan — who called on players to publicly release the 133-page judgment — said he hoped yesterday's unanimous decision was the full stop on a 26-month saga.

"It is a decision for ASADA — my personal view is no (they should not appeal)," McLachlan said. "

There has been a decision made after a long, protracted period.

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"ASADA and WADA will make the decision is the right decision from their perspective.

"Sitting here as the chief executive of the league — knowing that the evidence has been properly heard by an independent tribunal and they have made that decision, and after a long period of time, it is my interest that the competition can go forward."

McLachlan said the league was committed to being as transparent as it could in the final throes of the doping scandal, and said it would shortly release an internal review into its own handling of the affair.

He said under the World Anti-Doping Code, the AFL could not provide more information on yesterday's judgment without players' consent.

"We're committed to being as transparent as we can — and I think the publication of the decision to day would help with that … but under the code, that is a decision for the players," he said.

Paul Little and James Hird speak to the media. Source: Getty Images

"The players have got to make the decision in the context of what is right for them, and I respect that.

"So transparency is something we're looking for — but there are questions that will never be answered about all this."

McLachlan said the league wanted to help rebuild Essendon into being one of the competition's best clubs, and said they needed to "move forward together".

He said he had recently spoken with Essendon coach James Hird.

"I'm sure James and I will talk — I caught up with him the other day at the coaches' conference — it was fine, we had a good chat," he said.

McLachlan yesterday's verdict had not changed the league's view of the supplements program at Essendon in 2012 and that although the tribunal could not be comfortably satisfied players were given the banned drug Thymosin Beta-4, "I don't think they have established what it was."

He said the league "absolutely" stood by the harsh penalties handed to Essendon in 2013.

"There was acceptance by the Essendon Football Club and individuals at that time there was governance failures which meant there was unacceptable risk to the integrity of our game and the health and wellbeing of their players," he said.

"The judgment and the evidence should give no-one any joy about what happened in our competition in 2012."

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Day masters fear for fresh Augusta quest

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FINDING peace with the heartbreak of losing a Masters has finally enabled Jason Day to see there is lustre to being the second Aussie to wear the green jacket.

The world No.5 spoke eloquently on Tuesday about his fearless mindset for next week's fresh quest at Augusta for the very reason he doesn't fear failure.

Privately, he's able to embrace the near-favourite tag heaped on him last week by Greg Norman because he believes the same thing in an ego-less way.

It's not his go-for-it power with the driver or his classic putting stroke, on greens which turn others into head cases, that is the best club in his bag.

"I want it more," Day said of why he can win it.

That's been fed by the near-miss angst of 2013 when Adam Scott created history and his own lifelong feeling the Masters is the major above all others.

"This tournament is really close to my heart. It always has been and it's just what I've experienced there since my first start at Augusta (in 2011)," Day said.

"Like I said, I always wanted to be the first Australian (to win the Masters).

"Adam got there. I'm OK with being the second Aussie to win (laughs).

"I just want it more than I ever have in my whole career."

In 2013, he stood on Augusta's par three 16th with a one-shot lead, overcooked his seven iron with a triple-shot of adrenaline, took bogey…and made another on the next.

Day was delighted Scott broke Australia's Masters hoodoo in the dramatic drizzle that followed but the nearly-guy with a third and a second has to deal with his own torment.

Jason Day warms up on the putting green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Source: AP

"Do I really want to push through it or do I want to kinda run away and hide?," Day said.

Day is meeting the strategy-adjustments, pressure and expectations head on just like Norman's generous nod that he's primed to win.

"Yeah, people did text me the Greg stuff," Day said down the phone from his Ohio home.

"It's a very humbling compliment from a great champion like Greg but if you look at it the wrong way it may be a distraction as well.

"It's like every tournament I go to in the US fans are always coming up to me 'Are you going to win the Masters this year'?"

Day's great comfort is that he better knows how to stay calm, last year's back and thumb injuries are behind him and he is in top 2015 form with a tournament win in play-off pressure.

"You can look at people backing you so much as more and more pressure building but I'm not scared to fail when I give my all," Day said.

"I'm not scared to go in and lose because I already lost that tournament in 2013.

"Standing on the 16th hole I had the lead and I lost the event. Unfortunately, that's just how it goes.

"…it slowly occurred to me just this year that everyone is going to have failures in their lives that are going to shape what they do tomorrow, six months and 12 months from now."

Day is not into hiding. His zeal for this special time of year is matched by his faith in his preparation.

He feels his short game still needs sharpening and he's going to work on those nerve-fraying, downhill 2-3m putts that so often make the difference between 68 and 75 when he hits Augusta for Friday practice.

Day put a huge smile on the faces of Australian Open organisers yesterday when asked his plans now this year's events is locked in to November 26-29 at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

"I really want to come back unless some unknown reason pops up," Day said.

"Right now I'm thinking about Augusta."

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Families turn their back on Origin

The NRL face the embarrassment of Origin not being sold out with a massive price hike meaning many fans will be unable to attend this year's series.

JUST 10,000 general admission tickets have been sold for the NRL's showpiece event — State of Origin I in Sydney — as the fan backlash to hiked-up prices for the May 27 game deepens.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal a soccer friendly between Sydney FC and English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, also at ANZ Stadium, in the same week is comfortably outselling rugby league's showpiece event.

There are still eight weeks until Origin I on May 27 but exorbitant ticket prices are driving fans away from the fiercest war in Australian sport.

NSW celebrate winning the 2014 series. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

With tickets set aside for corporates, club and junior allocations along with ANZ Stadium members, about 35,000 seats have already been filled for Origin I. That still leaves the NRL needing another 50,000 tickets to sell out the arena.

TOO EXPENSIVE: SOO may struggle to sell out

CASH GRAB: NRL out of touch with fans

Will you try to get State of Origin tickets this year?

With members and extra allocations, Sydney FC's game against Tottenham has currently sold 53,000 tickets with a crowd of more than 70,000 likely just three days after Origin.

Unlike State of Origin, tickets for the Spurs game start at just $15.

NRL fans expressed anger on Tuesday after The Daily Telegraph revealed a price hike has put Origin tickets out of range for average pay earners this year.

A whopping 86 per cent of respondents in an online Daily Telegraph poll claimed they were "no chance" of attending any of the three games this year.

NRL fan Scott Hart and his young footy family had a message for Paul Gallen and Laurie Daley on Tuesday: "We'd love to be there cheering you but, sorry, it's just too expensive."

Hart, wife Alison, son Liam and daughter Julia spoke of their disappointment at being unable financially to buy tickets.

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"We are a rugby league family but cannot afford those prices. We wanted to watch NSW defend the title," said Hart, who coaches Liam in the under 12s Harbord Devils side, which competes in the Manly-Warringah junior rugby league competition.

"It's a real shame. My family would love to go to Origin and cheers on Laurie and 'Gal'. I know a lot of parents in Liam's team can't afford to attend either.

"Years ago everyone could afford to go. Now it seems only corporates can afford tickets. The game isn't what it used to be.

"It is slowly but surely drifting away from its working class roots."

Family passes can cost as much as $555.63 at ANZ Stadium. A single adult entry ticket can cost up to $280.

Aware AFL-made fans won't outlay big bucks to watch rugby league, the NRL has kept prices for the MCG game at a reasonable rate.

Kids prices start from $20 in Melbourne with AFL members offered tickets at around $26. It means NSW and Queensland are being gouged to subsidise prices for Melbourne.

North Curl Curl family Scott & Alison Hart, with their children Liam 12, & Julia 9. The diehard Rugby League fans can't afford to buy State of Origin tickets this year due to the price rise. Picture: Troy Snook Source: News Limited

Social media went into meltdown on Tuesday.

Mick wrote: "Well done NRL. Completely out of touch with fans. Ruining the game for everyone. No way in hell our family will be able to go this year. Thanks for ruining a 10-year tradition."

Sandy-Lee posted: "So, our dream of one day taking our kids to a SOO game in Sydney has just been shattered."

Barry said though: "Still not bad value when you consider the cost of seeing Kylie or Pink in concert."

Johnny added: "No fans, no game."

And Dan wrote: "What do expect when you put a banker (NRL CEO Dave Smith) in charge. This guy has no idea what RL is all about. Time to go Smith & take your cronies with you."

An NRL spokesman said on Monday that most tickets for the Sydney match had risen by $5 to 10 on last year. He said family tickets would range from $200.

In Queensland, there are more than 20,000 tickets priced at less than $200, including 3000 at the lowest price category of $80, the spokesman said.

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