Casey McLean Emerges as Strong Contender for NSW Origin 2 Starting Role
Casey McLean, a rising star from the Penrith Panthers, is now in the spotlight as a potential starter for the New South Wales (NSW) team in Origin 2. This shift comes as Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton faces uncertainty due to an aggravated shoulder injury. The situation has created a ripple effect, with several key players sidelined and others under pressure to step up.
Latrell Mitchell and Blayke Brailey are both out of the second game of the series against Queensland at the MCG. With Crichton also in doubt, he could become the third major player ruled out for Laurie Daley’s side. Meanwhile, Parramatta skipper Mitchell Moses is working to prove his fitness after a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from Origin 1. His replacement, Ethan Strange, delivered a standout performance at five-eighth for the Blues in their comeback win. However, Daley has hinted that if Moses returns for Game 2, Strange may be pushed back to the bench.
Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ supremo, revealed that Crichton is in some doubt after struggling with a persistent shoulder issue that kept him out earlier in the season. “He’s played two games in a week and pulled up very sore from it,” Gould said on Channel 9’s ‘100% Footy’ program. “But I think he’d be right for Origin in Game 2 if they picked him.”
Crichton has not been in top form this season, and Daley’s cautious approach to selecting players under injury clouds has cast doubt on his chances for Origin 2. “I’ll need to check and see where he’s at and see whether he’s available for Origin 2 and how much prep he can actually get done, because you don’t want to take someone in that’s underdone,” Daley said on Channel 7 program ‘The Agenda Setters’. “Until I get all that information, I’m unsure where Crichton is at the moment.”
McLean Makes a Strong Case for the Starting Lineup
With the potential absence of key players, McLean has seized the opportunity to solidify his place in the NSW lineup. He made a significant impact off the bench in the Origin opener and further strengthened his case by scoring two tries for Penrith in a dominant win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Jacob Kiraz is also in the mix for an Origin debut after returning from injury in impressive fashion for the Bulldogs over the past fortnight. His inclusion could come into play as Blues winger Tolu Koula faces a fitness battle for Game 2. Koula failed an HIA after a high shot from Kalyn Ponga in the Origin opener and missed last week’s loss to Cronulla. However, Manly is reportedly seeking an exemption to allow Koula to play against Souths on Thursday night, aiming to secure his spot for the upcoming match.
Prop Payne Haas made a return from injury for the Broncos in Sunday’s loss to the Dragons and is expected to be recalled for the Blues. Mitch Barnett or Addin Fonua-Blake are likely to start from the bench, while unused Game 1 prop Jacob Saifiti may drop out of the NSW squad.
Daley has indicated that Api Koroisau, Connor Watson, and Wayde Egan are the three players in contention to replace Blayke Brailey as the back-up hooker. Brailey was a standout off the bench in Game 1 but suffered a fractured arm in Cronulla’s win over Manly and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
