Panthers young gun Casey McLean is embracing the growing calls for him to play State of Origin this year and insists he’ll be ready and willing if Laurie Daley picks him for the Blues. The teenage superstar has the chance to become the youngest player since Payne Haas in 2019 to represent the Blues, and a shoulder injury for incumbent NSW centre Stephen Crichton may have opened the door for the 19-year-old.
McLean and the Panthers have started the NRL season on fire, and he was outstanding in their 50-10 demolition of the Storm on Friday night. The classy young centre scored an incredible try after leaving several Melbourne defenders in his wake through a combination of speed, power and evasive footwork that has many good judges tipping him for an Origin call-up.
Calls are grower louder around the NRL world for Panthers young Casey McLean (centre) to be picked as the youngest Origin star for the Blues since Payne Haas (L). Pic: Getty
The Kiwi Test star has been previously ineligible to represent the Blues because of his allegiance to Tier 1 nation, New Zealand. But a change in the NRL’s eligibility rules means the Sydney-born, Penrith junior is now right in the mix to represent his home state in the Origin arena.
Crichton and Latrell Mitchell are widely viewed as the Blues’ first-choice centre pairing. But an AC injury for the Bulldogs skipper in his side’s Good Friday loss to Mitchell’s Bunnies leaves Crichton under a cloud. The Dogs suggested it was a high grade 2 to grade 3 injury for Crichton but it’s unclear how long he’ll be out for.
And McLean insists he’ll be ready to answer the call if Blues coach Daley rewards his sizzling early form by picking him to play Origin. Crichton plays on the right edge for Canterbury and NSW, while McLean is part of Penrith’s lethal left edge that is tearing the competition apart. But the 19-year-old says he’d be happy to play either side.
Casey McLean ready for Origin if he gets the call-up for NSW
“At this club, you can’t really just put yourself down to be a one-dimensional, one side (player),” McLean said. “You can’t just limit yourself, so you’re going to have to be able to attack and defend on both sides.
“If the phone call arose, I wouldn’t turn it down. I’d hope to say (I’m ready). It just comes down to what’s right for the Blues. If that opportunity comes, I’ll take it with both hands.”
A change in Origin eligibility rules could see NSW Blues coach Panthers and Kiwi Test star Casey McLean in this year’s series. Pic: Getty
McLean says he weighed up the Origin eligibility issue earlier in his career, before honouring his father by committing his Test allegiance to New Zealand. But the NRL rule change leaves McLean and Sharks forward Addin Fonua-Blake as the two most likely Kiwi Test stars to benefit with a potential Origin call-up this year.
“I sat down with my parents and my family (in 2024) thinking what’s best for me, and they said whatever you think you want to do,” McLean said. “At that time the thought crossed my mind that it means I won’t able to represent the junior clubs in Penrith (by playing for NSW). But I just wanted to represent my family and where I come from, my father back in New Zealand. That’s a big factor in why I play this game.”
with AAP