Casey McLean was \u201cstarstruck\u201d during a session with Stephen Crichton at the Panthers a few years ago, but the young gun was simply out of this world when he took it to the sport\u2019s best centre earlier this season in a game that made the rest of the NRL stand up and take notice.<\/p>\n
The Panthers centre is still only 19 but has achieved plenty with four tries on debut for New Zealand last year, while he\u2019s currently on a hot streak with 10 tries in his past eight games heading into Sunday\u2019s semi-final against the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear whether Crichton will overcome a foot injury to play for a spot in the preliminary final in front of 70,000 fans, but if he does, we could be treated to a repeat of one of the best individual battles of 2025.<\/p>\n
It was back in round 17 when the Panthers were still recovering from a horror start to the year that McLean lined up against one of Penrith\u2019s grand final heroes, with the young buck getting the better of the man he idolised growing up.<\/p>\n
McLean took it to Crichton from the opening whistle with powerful fends, rushing defence and a confidence to get in his face, with his pressure forcing an error on the final play to seal a famous 8-6 victory. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to have to say so,\u201d McLean replied when asked if that was his best game in the NRL.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to go up against \u2018Critta\u2019 \u2013 one of my idols growing up \u2013 was a challenge in itself, but it was cool at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle me would have been screaming, but it\u2019s cool to go up against the best.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to motivate myself to step up for the game, but all the boys helped out. They know how he is and we all know he\u2019s the best player in that position for a reason because he holds his own so I had to not let down my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLean may not have scored that night, but his performance transformed him and gave him the confidence to know that he was good enough to match it with anyone.<\/p>\n
Coach Ivan Cleary hailed his effort as \u201cunbelievable\u201d, while halfback Nathan Cleary said \u201cI was proud of him\u201d when he raced across to celebrate with the young centre after the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy confidence grew from being able to hold my own,\u201d McLean said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was also my teammates around me. They helped boost me up as well mentally by telling me what I\u2019d just done and asking \u2018why can\u2019t you do this every week now?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve just kept building on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 50 family members and friends watched him score in last week\u2019s elimination final win over the Warriors in Auckland, with McLean getting a taste of the post-season after he was dropped just weeks out from the 2024 finals. <\/p>\n
He concedes he\u2019s in a better place now to deal with the finals pressure, with the teenager mature enough to look at last year\u2019s premiership run as the motivation he needed to keep his spot this time around. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust being a part of the squad and seeing what they were able to do was cool,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to be a part of the team this year is a massive opportunity and I don\u2019t want to take it for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n