Liam Martin suffers category 1 concussion in latest NSW Origin blow

NSW have been dealt another crushing blow with a star player likely to be ruled out for the must win second State of Origin game.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Liam Martin of the Roosters walks off for HIA and receives medical attention during the round 15 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Brad Fittler has been hit with yet another State of Origin curveball with Penrith Panthers star Liam Martin in doubt for Game 2.

The Panthers back-rower was ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Sydney Roosters after slamming his head into the hip of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

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Martin got his hit all wrong and was left stumbling over the turf before being helped from the field by trainers.

He was deemed to have suffered a category 1 concussion, meaning under the NRL’s concussion protocols, he should be stood down for 11 days.

Making it highly unlikely he’ll be able to line-up for the Blues when the second Origin clash gets underway at Suncorp Stadium.

The Panthers star was one of the best for the Blues in the series opener after coming off the bench and looked set to be inserted into the starting line-up for the must-win contest.

Martin’s only hope of taking his place in the side is if he can receive clearance from an independent doctor.

Liam Martin won’t return after showing Category 1 signs of concussion. Per NRL guidelines is not yet considered to have suffered a concussion until the club Dr provides a diagnosis. Origin 2 in 11 days time but off past examples this season is enough time to be passed fit to play pic.twitter.com/MEdyL8zZQc

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 10, 2023

He wouldn’t be the first as this week Bulldogs captain Reed Mahoney was named for Canterbury after he caught the knee of Joseph Aukuso-Suaali’i last Sunday.

He was cleared by an NRL-approved neurological expert and will line up for his side on Monday.

Tom Trbojevic was similarly cleared to play after being handed an 11-day standdown despite not being diagnosed with concussion.

The potential loss of Martin would be one of several stars to miss the second contest with Fittler needing to fill plenty of holes.

Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses has reportedly shot into favouritism to claim the NSW Blues No. 7 jersey.

Moses, who played one previous State of Origin match in the dead rubber of the 2021 series, is firming ahead of both Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes and Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds has been in excellent form for Brisbane and previously has two matches for NSW in 2016.

It saw his name thrust into selection contention potentially alongside former teammates Cody Walker at five-eighth and Damien Cook at hooker, as fans called for the South Sydney connection to be brought into the must-win clash at Suncorp Stadium.

But with Walker ruled out of Saturday’s loss against the Dragons due to a quad injury, it appears unlikely that the combination will be rekindled.

Hynes, who was named player of the year last season, debuted in game one in Adelaide but was thrust into the centres in a late cameo.

But it’s Moses who has been named the frontrunner by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Moses has played one Origin before.

The newspaper says Phil Gould’s endorsement holds great sway with Blues coach Brad Fittler and Gus wants Moses.

“He’s got a lot of aspects to his game that I like, if there wasn’t a Nathan Cleary around he’d have played probably another half a dozen Origins,” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

Gould, who coached NSW in 24 matches between 1992-96 and 2002-04, also believes Moses is a “like for like” replacement for Cleary and could partner Luai in the halves.

“He’s got his very long kicking game, his long kicking game, and his short kicking game. Luai for me was our most dangerous player in game one … and Moses can get him the ball how he likes to get it, where he likes to get it,” Gould said.

“We don’t want stoppages — we want the ball in play. We’ve got to kick long, kick often and when you think you’ve kicked it too much, kick it again.

“That’s my philosophy on Origin football. Mitchell Moses suits my philosophy.”

Originally published as Liam Martin suffers category 1 concussion in latest NSW Origin blow