Panthers centre Casey McLean hasn’t received a phone call yet from Blues coach Laurie Daley, but he says he “wouldn’t turn it down” if NSW officials decided to pick him for the State of Origin opener next month.
McLean wasn’t an option a few months ago but has now emerged as a genuine candidate thanks to a change in eligibility rules as well as his scorching form on the left for Penrith.
Still only 19, McLean is already one of the elite centres in the world and showed he can match it with the best after taking it to rep star Stephen Crichton in an all-time battle last year when Penrith beat the Bulldogs.
McLean, Crichton, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Kotoni Staggs are the leading candidates to play in the centres for NSW, with Daley facing a pleasant selection headache next month.
“If the phone call arose, I suppose I wouldn’t be shy to turn it down,” McLean said after starring against the Storm on Friday.
“But at the end of the day, I’m just focusing on my job at Penrith, taking it week by week and not thinking too far ahead of what may be the sort of path. I’m just thinking about how I can put my best foot forward for this team.”
McLean showed on Friday night that he is always willing to answer calls after the Panthers centre graciously did an interview on his phone because he’d already left the ground before journalists had the chance to get to the Penrith sheds.
“I haven’t had that phone call (from Daley yet),” he said, having represented the under-19s NSW team in 2024.
“Just because with the new rules that came around, obviously I’ve been representing New Zealand, which is still to me my first option.
“I’d hope to say so (that I’m ready to play Origin). But then again, it just comes down to what’s right for the Blues, and hopefully, if that opportunity comes, I’ll take it with both hands.
“I’m still not quite happy with how I’m defending. We’re still leaking points out our edge, so there are obviously many different ways for improvement throughout that at training.”
While the teen sensation isn’t happy with his defence, veteran teammate Scott Sorensen says it’s an area of his game that McLean is working on after he chased down Eels centre Sean Russell in round four to deny an otherwise certain try.
“If he was called upon, I have no doubt he’d be ready,” he said.
“And that (the Russell tackle) just sums it up right there. Attack is obviously beautiful to watch with his speed and the way that he’s backing himself and scoring some pretty incredible tries.
“But he’s saving them as well. We speak about a defensive mindset here and it’s awesome that he’s acknowledging that and going after it defensively.”
NSW and Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary didn’t want to comment on the Origin this far out from game one, but he’s been blown away by what McLean is doing.
“I think that’s a long, long way away, but what Casey is doing at the moment is quite incredible,” he said.
“He’s looking more and more dangerous each week, and I think he’s starting to feel that confidence.
“The fact that he’s 19 is mind-blowing, but that’s a testament to him and the work he’s doing. He’s coming into training each week and he’s trying to get better.”
McLean has dominated on the left but is more than happy to switch to the right if required, while he’s shown he can play on the wing as well after scoring four tries on debut for New Zealand back in 2024.
The decision to play for the Kiwis meant he couldn’t represent the Blues, but that rule no longer exists.
“At that time, the thought crossed my mind that I’m not able to represent the junior clubs in Penrith I was able to represent,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, the decision wasn’t really too hard because I just wanted to represent my family and where I come from, my father back in New Zealand. That’s a big factor of why I’ve been playing this game for how long I have been.
“I sat ahead with my parents and my family just thinking what’s best for me, and they kind of just said whatever you think you want to do.
“I wanted to put on the black jersey and represent where my parents come from as a way of giving back to them.”
He has taken his game to freakish new heights since then, with McLean and Tom Jenkins running amok for the Panthers in the opening five rounds.
The pair have combined for some cracking tries, but none better than McLean’s solo effort against the Storm on Friday where he showed off his footwork, strength and speed to score just before half-time.
And it’s that sort of individual brilliance that can decide Origin games, which is why this young gun must be in the team on May 27.
Originally published as ‘No doubt he’d be ready’: Casey McLean explodes into Origin contention thanks to stunning form and eligibility rule changes