NSW and Laurie Daley have scored an early win over Queensland with the NRL schedule gifting Penrith’s five NSW hopefuls a much-needed week off.
The premiers have the bye this weekend, which means Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o can use the week to recharge before possibly entering Blues camp.
The Panthers defeated Brisbane 32-8 during Magic Round, then boarded a flight to Townsville where they played out a 90-minute, 30-all draw against the Cowboys.
Daley knows the senior Panthers have played a lot of football in recent years, including repeated finals series and internationals, and a freshen up will do them wonders.
The fact they will not have played for more than two weeks heading into the Origin series opener on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium is of no concern to the Blues mentor.
The bye round will also give NSW officials comfort knowing the Panthers players are not at risk of being injured or suspended.
The final weekend of NRL games before Origin I selection has caused plenty of grief for coaches in recent years. Manly’s Jake Trbojevic suffered a calf injury against the Titans that forced him to miss the first game in 2022, while Luke Keary was knocked out in 2019, with coach Brad Fittler declaring at the time the three-time premiership winner was set to be his No.6 for that series.
Nathan Cleary will relish the week off before another tough Origin series.Credit: Getty Images
The only player who will not benefit from the timely break is To’o, who only returned on the weekend after a six-week absence due to a hamstring injury. Daley and selectors were keen to see him play at least one more game. To’o will spend a couple of days training this week completing some speed work to help repair his hamstring.
Martin has had issues with his big toe in the past, but is fit, as is Edwards, who suffered a groin injury earlier this season, and was given a brief early mark during Magic Round because of cramping in his hamstring.
Parramatta’s Zac Lomax, another NSW wing option, is pushing hard to return from a foot injury for Friday’s trek to Newcastle.
Daley will decide on Tuesday whether to name his first team on Sunday night or wait until Monday morning. Four Blues’ candidates – South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham, and Wests Tigers’ Terrell May and Jarome Luai – do not play until 6.15pm on Sunday.
The Tigers’ 64-0 drubbing by Melbourne did nothing to improve May and Luai’s hopes.
Meanwhile, the NRL was late on Monday weighing up whether to issue a pair of trainers who squirted a ball with water during the Panthers-Cowboys clash with breach notices.
Cowboys trainer Mitch Dunn and Penrith’s Shane Elford were captured wetting the ball during the TV coverage. Referee Todd Smith stopped the game and ordered a change of balls when he spotted Dunn’s gamesmanship.
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