WELCOMES HIS WAKE-UP CALL
NATHAN Cleary was enjoying a relaxing sleep-in yesterday morning when his mobile phone rang and woke him up.
Often you wouldn’t answer at that time on a weekend, except if it’s flashing up Freddie Fittler’s name and there’s a State of Origin team about NRL ladder and the playmaking to be picked. has been their biggest problem.
Ending months of nervous Penrith has been tackled more speculation over the NSW No.7 times in the opposition red zone jersey, Fittler broke the news to this year than any other team Cleary that he was in the side. yet Cleary and halves partner
“Yeah, I definitely woke him James Maloney haven’t converted up,” Fittler said. “He was sleepy the field position into tries. but obviously very happy.” To make it even tougher on
Fittler and his selection adviser Origin night, the Panthers halfback Greg Alexander made the is playing alongside a new decision to run with Cleary five-eighth in Cody Walker. despite knowing South Sydney It takes more than half-adozen halfback Adam Reynolds had ballwork sessions to form been cleared of a serious leg great combinations. injury. This is enormous pressure for
“There’s been a lot of talk a 21-year-old footy player. about Nathan and all the halfbacks,” Reynolds can consider himself Fittler said. desperately unlucky. The Rabbitohs
“We picked him because we halfback has steered his think he’ll get the job done. side to the top of the premiership Simple as that.” ladder and played stylishly
It has been many years since a and consistently since March. player has gone into a Blues He also has the club relationship State of Origin campaign under with Walker, Damien Cook more pressure than the Pan- and Cameron Murray. thers’ halfback faces. That he missed out shows the
On form this year, Cleary does high level of confidence Fittler not deserve to be in the NSW and Alexander have in Cleary. side, even without Luke Keary That yesterday’s wake-up call and Mitchell Pearce who succumbed was what the Panthers halfback to injuries. needed.
He has been picked for playing satisfactorily in last year’s series win. It’s called loyalty.
The Panthers are last on the
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