‘I don’t think Brian’s got too much to worry about’: Panthers winger not charged for high shot, but knee injury a concern ahead of Origin decider

Brian To’o wasn’t charged for a high shot on Thursday night, but a knee injury has him in doubt for the Origin decider.

Panthers winger Brian To’o has avoided the ire of the match review committee after he was placed on report for a high shot in the final few minutes of Thursday’s epic win over the Bulldogs.

The Blues star was penalised for a high tackle on Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri, with the blue and whites turning down a shot at goal that would have levelled the scores if Stephen Crichton had been able to convert from 30ms out on the sideline.

The initial contact appeared to be with the chest before the arm bounced up and caught Xerri high, with To’o free to play in the Origin decider on July 9 after he wasn’t charged by the MRC.

Brian To'o was placed on report but isn’t worried about copping a ban that would rule him out of the State of Origin decider. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“I asked him if he was all right, he said he was sweet,” the Panthers winger said.

“It is what it is but I had to check on ‘Brons’ and see if he was all right.”

To’o received support from Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, who backed powerful winger Jacob Kiraz to do the job if he was required to make his debut at Accor Stadium.

“I don’t think Brian’s got too much to worry about. There wasn’t much in it so he should be right,” he said.

“If Jacob got an opportunity, he’s not going to let anyone down. He’s been one of the form wingers in the comp and he was brilliant again tonight.”

While he doesn’t have to worry about the high tackle, To’o does have other concerns with the hat-trick hero from Perth appearing to injure his left knee in the first half.

The four-time premiership winner carried a hamstring injury into the Perth game but that didn’t slow him down, with To’o requiring strapping and constant attention from Penrith’s medical staff on Thursday night.

“It’s good,” he said in the sheds as he left the ground with a big ice pack on his knee.

“I think it might’ve happened during the game, either way I’m all good.

“I’m still walking, that’s the main positive sign.”

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While the Blues sweat on his fitness, NSW officials would’ve been cheering after influential halfback Nathan Cleary got through the game unscathed.

The world’s best playmaker was troubled by a groin issue in Perth which prevented him from kicking goals, with Cleary unable to take any shots on Thursday night.

But it didn’t stop him from coming up with the biggest play of the night when he charged down a Matt Burton kick to score the decisive try against the ladder leaders.

“I didn’t really have any scares at all,” he said, unsure whether he’ll be fine to kick goals in the decider.

“This week I had two solid training sessions in and felt confident.

“I’m very grateful to the NSW physios and also the Penrith physios because they put a lot of work into me and helped me get into a headspace where I was confident to play.

“Goal-kicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went.”

The Bulldogs can take some valuable lessons out of a game that felt like a finals contest. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

His try was the difference on a night where the Bulldogs learnt some valuable lessons against the team that has been the benchmark for the past five years.

“I thought we played great, but we came up against a great team who did enough to win,” Ciraldo said.

“We did so many things great tonight, but not enough to win. There were enough lessons for us there that hopefully in big games at the end of the year, we can use those lessons to become a better footy team.”

Originally published as ‘I don’t think Brian’s got too much to worry about’: Panthers winger not charged for high shot, but knee injury a concern ahead of Origin decider