LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Nathan Cleary has shown positive signs, but his Panthers teammate Brian To'o is doubtful for State of Origin 3 due to a fresh knee injury.
According to reports from au.news.yahoo.com, the Blues winger needed strapping on his left knee during the Panthers' 8-6 victory over the Bulldogs and was seen leaving the field with ice on it.
Although To'o played the full match and did not seem significantly hindered, NSW coach Laurie Daley might be cautious if the extent of the injury is serious.
To'o remarked, "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign.
I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ...
It's good." However, his ability to finish the game does not necessarily reflect the injury's severity; he previously played through a hamstring injury for 80 minutes in Round 4 but was later sidelined for five weeks.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary expressed uncertainty about To'o's condition, stating, "I honestly don't know how he is." To'o was also doubtful ahead of Origin 2 due to a hamstring problem, which led to Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz being brought into the camp as a backup.
If To'o's knee issue prevents him from participating, Kiraz is expected to step in for Origin 3.