NSW coach Laurie Daley has suggested Penrith’s NRL struggles won’t cost some of their big names State of Origin jerseys, refusing to believe the reigning premiers’ marquee men are “out of form”.
Ivan Cleary’s side sits in last place after eight rounds, with Penrith’s bid for a historic five-peat hanging by a thread with only two wins so far in 2025.
As a result doubts have been cast regarding the Origin selection of a host of Panthers stars, who have previously been obvious picks to represent their state.
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Dylan Edwards earned his Blues debut last year, while Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo all played integral roles in NSW’s comeback series victory.
Nathan Cleary, meanwhile, was sidelined for the entire series but is considered by many to be the NRL’s best player and another automatic selection in the No.7 jersey if fit.
Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday, Daley explained his team won’t be picked only on form, but also on previous performances for both club and state.
“Not only do you take in form, you take in some past performances and the elite players, you just can’t dismiss people that have won four competitions in a row and have played for Australia,” Daley said.
“You still want people to be playing well… but I’ve just looked back on the last two weeks of the Dally Ms and against the Roosters, Yeo, Cleary, Edwards got Dally M points.
“And last week’s game, Edwards got Dally M points. Now, can all those players play better? Yeah, you can make a case that everyone can play better.
“Everyone can play better. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it? And it’s what you think is important to your football team.
“But I wouldn’t say they’re out of form, some of those individuals. I’d say Penrith aren’t playing as well as the team, but some of those individuals are still playing (well).”
Edwards’ position at fullback in particular has come under the most scrutiny, with former Blues captain James Tedesco breathing down his neck in the race for the No.1 jersey.
Tedesco was left out of the NSW pre-season meeting, however he has been in excellent form for the Roosters, albeit in a side that is also struggling for form.
Speaking on the Matty Johns show earlier this season, Nathan Hindmarsh said he believed Tedesco was the man set to get the nod for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Daley faces a similarly tough decision regarding the make-up of his halves, with Jarome Luai and Mitchell Moses performing admirably in Game I and II.
Cleary’s availability means that one of that duo is likely to miss out, with Moses the leading contender to wear the No.6 alongside the Panthers gun.
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When asked if he had any concerns with Cleary and Moses as a halves pairing, Daley replied: “Absolutely none”.
“It’s going to be a tough conversation, whoever misses out, you know. It’s going to be tough, regardless of who it is. We have got some really high class halves to choose from,” he explained.
“One or two of them are going to be disappointed. But I want that decision. In people’s minds, we probably won’t get it right, because people will be either in one corner or the other.
“So I understand that. But we’ll be picking what we think is the best team to win Game 1 in Brisbane.
“And if Mitch Moses has to play five-eighth, I would have no concerns at all that he could do it and I think it would unlock his running game, because I think that’s an underutilized strength of his and he was brilliant last year.
“He was brilliant. He and Jarome Luai were fantastic. They combined really well.”
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