It’s hungry Jacks’ turn

MELBOURNE playmaker Ryley Jacks sums up the hardluck stories of the fringe NRL stars who have struggled to get a game during the Covid saga.

The NRL’S decision to relocate the premiership to Queensland in July forced teams into strict hubs, meaning Jacks has trained alone in a Brisbane park, been banned from visiting physios and has had to do weights at his grandmother’s house.

But there’s light at the end of tunnel for Jacks, who has been named in Melbourne’s 17man squad to play Cronulla this week. “It’s been really hard,” said Jacks. “Being offcontract … I haven’t been able to play to get a new deal.”