Nathan Cleary’s NSW Origin I shot on the line in Penrith-Parramatta clash
Through all the dramas this season, Nathan Cleary remains favourite for the NSW halfback position. But he could be dumped if he doesn’t deliver against Parramatta on Thursday night.
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The pressure is on out-of-form Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary to prove he deserves to retain his State of Origin jersey in Thursday night’s western Sydney derby against Parramatta.
The Daily Telegraph understands Cleary remains the favourite to keep his spot in the NSW side after helping lead them to a series win last year.
But the calls to drop Cleary have increased with every Penrith loss, and NSW coach Brad Fittler will speak to his coaching advisers immediately after Thursday’s game to assess the youngster’s performance.
If Cleary has another poor performance Fittler may be forced to dump the 21-year-old when he names his 17-man squad on Sunday at 6pm.
While Cleary is still in the box seat, Adam Reynolds, Mitchell Pearce, Cody Walker and Chad Townsend are still in with a chance to represent NSW in Origin I in Brisbane on June 5.
Cleary’s Panthers are last on the NRL ladder and head into their first game at Bankwest Stadium as big underdogs against Parramatta.
If all goes to plan, Cleary would partner in-form Sydney Rooster Luke Keary in the NSW halves.
“He has had a lot of pressure for any player, especially for a 21-year-kid, he’s had an enormous amount of pressure on him,” Penrith coach and father Ivan Cleary said. “He is feeling that and he takes a lot of that on board.
“Nathan did the job for his team that he was asked to do last year. I wouldn’t imagine it would be much different in what he needs to do if given the opportunity. But you’d have to ask Freddie that.
“I actually think he has been playing all right for what sort of player that he is. Everybody knows, well everybody should know, you don’t become a great playmaker until you’re 26, 27 — 150, 200 games.
“Coaches and selectors are under so much pressure to actually win games that they have to pick who they think will win the game, not necessarily a reflection of who is in form.”
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NSW hatched a plan last year to invest in Cleary long-term and feel taking him out of the struggling Panthers environment may also help the young halfback’s confidence.
Cleary has this season made nine linebreak assists and 13 offloads.
“He has to show them something,” former NSW coach Laurie Daley told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast. “Nathan needs to guide them around and to get their attack happening. That’s what you want to see, that’s Nathan’s strength.
“At the moment he looks lost out there but you know what? I reckon he might bounce back this week given he has that responsibility of not having Jimmy Maloney (suspended for one match) there.
“It will be Nathan’s team. When Jimmy and Nathan both played to their best last year, it was without each other. They played their best individual football when one of them was missing.”
Another loss to Parramatta tonight will only pile more pressure on Ivan Cleary and the club.
“The last three weeks have pretty much shown on the field that are some things deeper down we have to find,” the coach said. “The outcome on the field at the moment is that we aren’t playing together as a team and it’s my responsibility to get that sorted.
“I’ve worked out quite a few things over the last month that has given us a plan going forward. It’s going to be sweet. A lot of people here, including myself, aren’t performing well enough.”