Cooper Cronk could make a shock comeback against St George Illawarra on Monday night in a move which would force Mal Meninga into an agonising choice over whether to start him or Daly Cherry-Evans in the Maroons No.7 jersey in Origin III.

Cronk wasn't named when Melbourne announced their team to take on the Dragons but will be given every chance of proving his fitness for the WIN Stadium encounter. The Red V could also field a star player not originally listed, with NSW forward Trent Merrin a potential starter despite an ankle injury. Merrin's return would be a timely one as Blues coach Laurie Daley announces his side for final game at Suncorp Stadium the following day.

Cronk was initially expected to be out for up to three months with a suspected broken arm. However, the injury wasn't as bad as first thought and Cronk has been fastidious in his rehabilitation in an attempt to come back as soon as possible. The Maroons playmaker, whose long-range field goal secured last year's Origin series, suffered the knock early in the opening interstate game and was sorely missed in that and the second encounter. Cherry-Evans, touted as a future Australian halfback and captain, came into game II under an injury cloud and was heavily targeted every time he touched the ball. Both will play if fit but it remains to be seen who will begin the game as the halves partner of Johnathan Thurston.

The return of Cronk will be a massive boost to a Storm side which comprehensively defeated Parramatta last weekend. It will also pit Cronk against Dragons halfback Benji Marshall, who knocked back a one-year deal with Melbourne in favour of a longer-term deal with the Red V. It will also be just the second time the Dragons No.6, Gareth Widdop, plays against his former club.