NSW fans and Laurie Daley will be holding their collective breaths after star of Game 1, Casey McLean, went down injured during Penrith’s demolition job of the Tigers.
The Panthers set another historic first on Sunday afternoon, as they recorded the biggest ever win in their history with a 68-0 drubbing of the Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
The win eclipsed the 60-point margin they defeated the Sea Eagles by (72-12) back in 2004.
It Iis also the fifth-biggest win in NRL/NSWRL history.
However, it wasn’t all positive with boom centre McLean hobbling off injured, taking the shine off what was an otherwise perfect day.
Just minutes into the second half, the Panthers centre went down hard on his ankle after catching a bomb.
The 20-year-old managed to get to his feet after receiving treatment, but he only lasted one more set before hopping from the field in a hurry.
You can watch the incident in the player above.
McLean received treatment in the sheds before returning to the exercise bike on the sidelines, but did return on Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers have indicated it was suspected ankle impingement – pain cause by soft tissue getting pinched between the bones.
If nothing more than an impingement McLean will be unlikely to miss any time.
However, post-match Ivan Cleary confirmed he will go for scans to see the extent of the injury.
“He’ll get a scan… but I think he’ll be alright,” coach Cleary said post-match.
Daley and Blues fans will now face a nervous wait to see if he is cleared to be picked in Game 2.
Teams will be announced on Monday morning.
Panthers make mess of hapless Tigers
The Tigers had no answers for a purring Panthers side on Sunday, and Jarome Luai copped much of the blame.
At half time, the Tigers found themselves 36-0, and former Roosters star Luke Keary delivered a brutal message to Luai, after a horror first half where he ran for only 21 metres and missed five tackles.
“Jarome has to stand up. He hasn’t brought them success… they haven’t done anything while he’s been there,” Keary said.
Penrith came out humming again in the second half, slicing the Tigers’ defence open at will.
Penrith finished the match with 16 line breaks to the Tigers’ one.
Tom Jenkins increased his lead as the top tryscorer in the NRL with another double, as he recorded five line breaks and ran for 276 metres.
While Nathan Cleary scored a try in his 22-point match as he almost certainly secured another 6 Dally M points leaving his teammates in disbelief again.
“At the moment he’s playing at the top of his game and you can see he’s extremely confident,” said Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo.
“He’s been outstanding all year.”
Originally published as NSW Origin fear as Casey McLean injured as Panthers score historic win over Tigers