With State of Origin just around the corner the Panthers face the prospect of having at least five players represent the NSW Blues in the upcoming series.
This despite sitting in 16th place on the NRL ladder after 10 rounds of the competition. This indifferent start to the season means there’s no guarantee those five players will even be selected for the side.
So, I’d like to break down the Panthers’ possible Origin representatives into three categories. The definite, the probable and the bolter.
The three definite speak for themselves in Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin.
If fit, Cleary will be the first Blue picked and with solid form behind him, he will never have a better chance to tick the final box in his already glowing resume by leading NSW to victory and dominating the series at halfback.
It’s almost astonishing to think that the current Australian captain Isaah Yeo started from the interchange bench for the Blues last year. Safe to say the inspirational lock will start each game for NSW coach Laurie Daley and may even be selected as skipper.
While I personally think Liam Martin’s form has been well down for Penrith in 2025, I have no doubt Daley will select him in the second row. Martin brings an aggressive style of play which makes him the perfect fit for Origin.
He niggles the Queenslanders and his best form of defence is attack. Martin’s had an ongoing feud with Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster and the two clearly don’t like each other.
It makes for wonderful rugby league theatre.
The ‘probable players’ are Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o. Both will probably be selected. Yes, I know it’s insane to even suggest either player may miss out considering they’re the incumbents but hear me out on this one.
There has been a push from sections of the media for Blues coach Laurie Daley to look at the form of both James Tedesco and Ryan Papenhuyzen as potential starting fullbacks.
While Edwards is the favourite to get the nod, a strong game from Tedesco this weekend could see him punted for the former Blues captain.
Meanwhile, when fully fit, To’o is the first winger chosen for NSW, however missing six weeks of football and having a bye leading into Origin selection, is far from the perfect preparation.
If To’o gets selected it will be because he is the incumbent, and selectors know he will do the job for them, long injury layoff or not.
The bolter from the blue would be Lindsay Smith who, at the end of last year, made his debut for Australia and in February attended a pre-season Blues Origin camp.
His form for Penrith has been up-and-down in 2025 and that’s reflected in his selection in the starting side because for the majority of the year he’s come off the interchange bench.
However, his performances of late have been strong and he looks like he’s almost back to the type of form which saw him selected in the green and gold last year.
Daley is believed to be a fan of Smith and he could still grab a last-minute bench spot for the Blues.
The Panthers enjoy a well-earned break this weekend and I’m sure those selected on Sunday will be feeling anything but blue when their name is read out.