Canterbury Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton sits out first NSW Blues session, Penrith Panther Casey McLean waits in the wings
He filled Stephen Crichton’s shoes at Penrith’s centres, but NSW are hopeful Casey McLean will not have to do the same for the Blues in State of Origin I after the Canterbury captain embarked on his first major training session of the campaign.
The Blues held an open training session in front of thousands of locals at Morry Breen Oval on the Central Coast on Wednesday, but Crichton did not take part in any of the major drills. Crichton has been hampered by a grade five AC joint injury that will require pain-killing injections before facing the Maroons, but said earlier this week that he expected to participate in all sessions.
However, the Blues took a cautious approach towards the star center as he watched his teammates get into a difficult situation. McLean replaced him on Wednesday, although the NSW hierarchy was confident Crichton would replace him against the Maroons for Origin I at Accor Stadium.
McLean, who is on the six-man bench, expected Crichton to play but said he was ready to fill the void if necessary.
“Yes, 100 percent,” McLean said. “Loz [coach Laurie Daley] He already told me, ‘Just train like you’re playing.’
“I’m just grateful to be a part of this. I’m still going to train like normal. There’s a lot of boys I know here and then I get to connect with other guys.”
Asked if McLean would replace Crichton if necessary, Panthers team-mate Isaah Yeo said: “I would be very surprised if Critter had any doubts, but Casey is here because Laurie trusts him to do a great job for his county if he has to play then.
“Critter will be fine, but at the same time, Casey is here because Laurie trusts him. He trusts him because of what he’s seen on the field and what Casey has produced, and that’s earned him an opportunity.”
McLean benefits from new Origin rules being introduced on and off the field. He will be one of the first players added to a six-man bench at interstate level as a change to eligibility laws allows him to represent NSW after playing for the Kiwis.
“Yes, he was very excited and he definitely deserved it with his performances,” Yeo said of McLean.
“He was talking about this the other day, I think he was born in 2006, but you quickly forget how little football he actually played and what he was able to do in such a short time.
“He’s been outstanding for us this year and the week he went to the Magic Round he was outstanding again. I’m excited for him.”
When announcing his team, Daley mistakenly introduced “Casey McLean” as “Casey McGuire,” a former Maroons player. The moment made its rounds on social media, and McLean can see the lighter side of it.
“It’s funny. Daley apologized, but it’s a funny story,” McLean said.
“I didn’t [know who McGuire was]. Obviously a few things came up and I needed to do some research on it. There is more [premiership] “He plays more than me.”
