LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards are facing potential exclusion from the State of Origin team as the Penrith Panthers hit a dismal low, dropping to last place in the NRL.
After suffering their sixth loss in eight games, the pair, who have been crucial players, couldn't prevent a 26-10 defeat to Manly, undermining their bid for a fifth consecutive title.
This situation marks the first time since May 2019 that the Panthers are at the bottom of the ladder.
Coach Ivan Cleary acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "The ladder doesn't really matter until July or August, or something, but I guess it's a talking point.
When you only win two games, you're going to be down there somewhere." Despite both players dealing with injury challenges earlier in the season, their current form raises concerns for NSW coach Laurie Daley.
Speculation about Cleary's place in the Origin team has intensified, particularly with discussions around a potential halves combination of Cleary and Mitchell Moses.
However, Cleary's recent performance may allow Jarome Luai to retain his spot alongside Moses, as Luai previously helped secure the series win for NSW last year when Cleary was injured.
Although Moses has only played one game due to a foot injury, he delivered a strong performance against the Tigers, making it difficult for Daley to drop him.
As the selection for the State of Origin approaches, both Cleary and Edwards' futures are uncertain, especially given the Panthers' current predicament.