Will NSW’s loss in the decider leave defending premiers Penrith with an Origin hangover?

Penrith are clinging onto sixth spot on the NRL ladder as the premiers fight to keep their defending title hopes alive. But can the Panthers overcome an Origin hangover?

NSW’s loss in the Origin decider has left Penrith’s Blues contingent dejected and at least one Panthers charger, in backrower Liam Martin, wounded.

But can the four-time premiers, who are clinging onto the sixth place on the ladder, overcome an Origin hangover?

The Panthers went into the Origin period slumped at 17th on the NRL ladder.

At the time, coach Ivan Cleary had hoped the ‘energy’ his NSW stars – Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards and Martin – would bring back from Origin would help drive a late season resurgence.

“I can only imagine there’d be nothing like it (Origin), just the energy and the build up, it would be pretty cool,” Cleary said in late May.

“I definitely hope there’s a flow-on effect for us after that.”

Cleary didn’t get what he had hoped for.

No one was more distraught in the Blues sheds than Nathan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images

The energy in the losing Blues dressing sheds on Wednesday night was despondent and none more so than halfback Nathan Cleary.

While Penrith’s campaign is back on track after four-straight wins, Martin looks like an unlikely proposition for Sunday’s clash against Parramatta after the forward suffered a wrist injury in the decider.

Cleary is sweating on scan results on Friday morning to determine the extent of the injury.

The Blues contingent, all named in the reserves, won’t train again this week but Cleary will make a final call on who takes the field on Saturday.

Halfback Cleary kicked in general play during the decider but a minor groin complaint is still restricting his ability to goal-kick, while winger Brian To’o has been managing a knee injury.

But a loss to the Eels could squeeze Penrith out of the top eight with a congested ladder leaving the Dolphins, Manly, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla breathing down the premier’s necks.

Liam Martin suffered a wrist injury in the Origin III decider. Picture: Getty Images

The winner from Friday night’s clash between Cronulla and the Dolphins will leapfrog Penrith, who are sitting on 21 points, on the ladder.

The Roosters also jump to 22 points if they can beat the Dragons, so do Manly – who have the bye this weekend.

It makes the decision to rest, or not to rest, even more crucial for coach Cleary.

The draw doesn’t do Penrith any favours either.

If all fit players do back-up, they could end up playing three games in just 10 days with the Panthers facing a five-day turnaround into the South Sydney clash in Round 20.

Brian To’o has been battling a knee injury. Picture: AFP

On paper, the Panthers will be confident of banking competition points over the next month with winnable clashes against Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle.

Penrith’s next-man up mentality came to the fore in Round 16 with a win over the Warriors.

Cleary was forced to rest all five Blues players after Origin II in Perth given the logistical challenges of getting his stars over to New Zealand for the clash.

It will give the coach some confidence if he opts to rest the likes of Cleary and To’o, especially, in the coming weeks.

The freshening up will be needed.

Penrith face a nightmare final month of the season with three-consecutive clashes against top four sides Melbourne, Canberra and Canterbury.

It’s a run that could make or break Penrith’s title defence.

Originally published as Will NSW’s loss in the decider leave defending premiers Penrith with an Origin hangover?