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August 26, 2026 \u2014 3:34pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The most valuable lessons Casey McLean has learnt in his short NRL career came when he last faced Canterbury.<\/p>\n That was in round six, when the previously undefeated Penrith lost their first match of the season. It was a particularly sobering experience for McLean, who was sent to the sin bin and subsequently suspended for a shoulder charge on Bulldogs prop Max King, who was left with a broken jaw.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously I\u2019m very sorry for what happened to him, but he\u2019s been killing it since he\u2019s come back,\u201d McLean said.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a little reflection in the sin bin. I sat in there [wondering], \u2018I think this is actually the only time I\u2019ve been sin binned\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n McLean has also reflected on his defensive performance that night. The Bulldogs constantly targeted his left edge, where Lachlan Galvin and Jacob Preston in particular created several line breaks in a 32-16 win.<\/p>\n The NSW three-quarter will have a different pivot playing alongside him for Friday\u2019s rematch \u2013 Jack Cole will wear the No.6 jersey in the absence of the suspended Jack Cogger \u2013 while Blaize Talagi, who was also exposed defensively in that initial Bulldogs clash, has been named on the bench.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started the year well, but then the Bulldogs came and gave us a little punch in the face,\u201d McLean said. \u201cSo it\u2019s about not getting too comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n There are few deficiencies in a Panthers outfit that is the favourite to take out the title. However, the Bulldogs exposed their edge defence in that last outing and McLean views Friday\u2019s clash at CommBank Stadium as an opportunity to get back on track before the finals.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re never going to be perfect, but you\u2019re always striving to be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, getting as many reps and banking as much as we can together at training \u2013 even off the field, a bit of connection \u2013 that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to build,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir right edge is exceptionally strong, so this will be a good challenge for us coming forward. On Friday, it\u2019ll be a good challenge not just for our edge, but the whole team.\u201d<\/p>\n It has been a rapid rise for McLean, who at the age of 20 has won a premiership and represented New Zealand and NSW. Last week, he signed a new contract that will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2030.<\/p>\n![\"Casey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9aa9c3b576c6d74b6900236769ea130bfa3fd511.jpeg\")
Casey McLean is sin binned for a hit that broke Max King\u2019s jaw.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Casey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/989dc947aa4fe7abda641559bbfc8c111703fb7d.jpeg\")
Casey McLean made his Origin debut this year.Getty Images<\/p>\n
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