The Queensland Maroons have released Eels hooker Reed Mahoney, with Harry Grant expected to be fit for the series opener on June 9.
Mahoney instead has now been named by the Eels to play this weekend against Newcastle despite being included in Maroons coach Paul Green's squad yesterday.
According to a Fox Sports report, Mahoney was told his services were no longer needed after it was revealed Grant would be available to play despite a hamstring injury that's kept him out since Round Nine.
Just last week, Mahoney received a glowing endorsement by Queensland legend and former Maroons hooker Cameron Smith, who said he would give the nod to the Eels star over Grant.
"Right now, given Harry has only played the five games – he didn't play the start of the year with a knee injury, he's now off the park with a hamstring injury – and Reed's played every game this year and playing really well, you'd probably start with Reed," Smith said last week.
"You'd start with Reed, he's tough … he's made 60-odd tackles plenty of times in his career, it's going to take that in the Origin arena.
"He's got great service from dummy-half, he's got a pretty good running game and a kicking game as well.
"He's got all the threats there, then you bring a Harry Grant onto the field just before halftime.
"He can come on, use his silky skills and his craft and try and tear apart the Blues."
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