Nathan Cleary expecting to be targeted by Maroons in Origin series

Nathan Cleary will steer the Blues around the park this Origin series but he’s expecting plenty of Maroons will be up in his grill as he does.

Cleary is expecting the Maroons will target him in the Origin series. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Superstar Blues halfback Nathan Cleary is expecting to be targeted by the Maroons when State of Origin rolls around in less than two weeks after he copped some questionable tackles from the Cowboys in Friday’s 22-0 win at home.

Cleary was unable to take Penrith’s final shot at goal as he hobbled around with a cork, presumably from a tackle by Jordan McLean around the legs while he was in the air following a midfield bomb, but is in no doubt for the Origin opener.

It appeared a clear-cut penalty under the rules but play was allowed to continue.

“I just thought the McLean one is usually a penalty,” Cleary said.

“Usually it doesn’t matter what happens, if you end up in a dangerous position it is a penalty. But I can’t complain about it too much.”

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Cleary in action against the Cowboys. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

The Blues will be relying heavily on Cleary’s right boot given he has the best and most varied kicking game in the NRL.

But he knows he won’t be afforded as much time and space as he usually gets in Game One on June 8. Christian Welch is usually tasked with getting in Cleary’s face, but the Maroons prop will miss the series through injury. That just opens the door for someone else to try to rattle his cage.

“That’s the beast Origin is. It’s the hardest stage to play on. You just don’t get a lot of time. It’s something I look forward to. It’s a great challenge and something I have to try and combat,” he said.

“Origin is a beast in itself and there’s not too many tic-tac penalties in that. I am fine with that. I look forward to the challenge every time I play it.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was stunned his side didn’t get a couple of penalties when his son and star player was put in dangerous positions.

“I had a view that kick pressure has changed again tonight because we never ever get kick pressure penalties. He was tackled multiple times tonight late and in the air. Maybe it’s changed,” the coach said.

Cleary is a lock for selection in the State of Origin series. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

One thing that definitely will change next week is Penrith’s team for the game against Canterbury.

The Panthers could have as many as seven players in the NSW squad which means there’ll be plenty of opportunities for their fringe players to get a crack.

One man knocking on the door of a first-grade debut is Kurt Falls. The talented half grew up playing footy with Cleary and has shown he has plenty of talent in reserve grade, including a day when he had five try assists against the Dragons in Round 2.

The Panthers struggled during the Origin period last year but the ladder leaders are confident they have learnt what it takes to keep the momentum rolling.

“Yeah, I think we’re in a really good place,” Nathan Cleary said.

“Most of the guys who will come in have had first-grade experience other than Kurt if he gets his shot.

“I will be that pumped for him. I went to school with Kurt and he has just chipped away. He’s never been in the limelight and was pretty much in Ron Massey until he got his shot in the big squad last year. He has worked hard and I would love to see him play first grade.

“He knows what he is doing. We pick each other’s brains every now and then. The one thing I like about our squad is we are always challenging each other to get better. We have a pretty good halves group at the moment. Me, Sean (O’Sullivan) and ‘Fallsy’ spend a fair bit of time together. I would be pumped for him.”

Originally published as Nathan Cleary expecting to be targeted by Maroons in Origin series