Injuries and form problems at a range of clubs will bring a number of different selection possibilities from reserve grade into the equation heading into Magic Round.
Here's who is knocking the door down for NRL selection in reserve grade.
KAYAL IRO
With William Kennedy and Jesse Ramien both suspended, Craig Fitzgibbon will be forced to make changes to his backline and Kayal Iro has shot into contention for an NRL debut with a blistering performance in the Sharks' win over the Bears.
Playing in the back row, Iro scored a try, grabbed three try assists, ran for 268 metres and broke the line three times in a 40-28 win.
Fitzgibbon is blessed with options at the back but Iro couldn't have done anything more to command a shot in the top grade on Sunday.
The Jets turned it on in the second half to come away with a 40-28 win over the Bears 👊#NSWCup #KOECup pic.twitter.com/O6IsaB7Ykm
— The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup (@NSWCup) May 8, 2022
BAILEY BIONDI-ODO
The livewire playmaker was brilliant in Saturday's win over the red-hot Dragons.
Biondi-Odo scored a scintillating individual try with some vision close to the line, catching the Red V defence wanting after regathering his own grubber kick to score untouched. It was a huge momentum-swinging play that set the Bulldogs on their path to a 26-6 victory.
Aside from that, he also laid on two tries and ran for 92 metres in a complete five-eighth's performance.
Biondi-Odo has been on the fringe of a first-grade starting berth at the Bulldogs but while losses continue to pile up for Trent Barrett's side, the youngster's chances of a shot in the halves will continue to strengthen.
J'MAINE HOPGOOD
The lock was very solid in Penrith's hard-fought win over Parramatta.
Hopgood set up a try, broke the line, ran for 124 metres and made a mammoth 40 tackles in a true workman's performance that will have pleased Ivan Cleary.
Hopgood's effort in reserve grade highlighted what was a relentless performance from the Panthers reserves, who much like the first grade side, just continue to batter opposition sides into submission.
While spots at senior level are hard to come by at Penrith, Hopgood will do his chances of another recall no harm with tough, gritty display like that on Friday.
JARROD WALLACE
The former Queensland origin prop could find himself back in first grade this week after a solid effort in Burleigh's win over Souths Logan.
Wallace was the leader for the Bears in the middle, playing 56 minutes and running for 146 metres, throwing two offloads and making 20 tackles without a miss.
Justin Holbrook is desperately seeking answers for his side's poor start to the NRL season and has flagged changes for Saturday's must-win clash with the Dragons. We won't be surprised to see Wallace named after another strong display in reserve grade.
JOSIAH KARAPANI
While he featured in a losing side, Karapani continues to remind us why he's rated as one of the most exciting prospects emerging from South Sydney's pathways.
The young winger was unable to get across the line in the 33-14 win against the Knights, he did just about everything else, running for 195 metres, picking up a linebreak and breaking six tackles.
Karapani is still signed to a development contract at Redfern but with the first-grade side struggling to hit their straps early in the season, the young back could find himself in the mix when he's eligible to play later in the year.
Rabbitohs make that 4️⃣ on the trot with their win over the Knights 😤 pic.twitter.com/UnMzXzDxyA
— The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup (@NSWCup) May 8, 2022
