Merrin still dreams of Origin spot
PENRITH star Trent Merrin is refusing to give up on a NSW State of Origin recall as he declared being in the best shape of his rugby league career.
While the hype has scaled back on the Panthers’ premiership chances this year, there remains a heavy expectation on halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney to be picked for the Blues.
A strong start to the season for Penrith could result in the pair joining up to seven Panthers in the reckoning for NSW coach Brad Fittler in his first series in charge.
Cleary and Maloney will largely rely on the grunt work of former Blues stars James Tamou and Trent Merrin, and Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell- Gillard, at club level.
Australian winger Josh Mansour and hooker Peter Wallace, who was named in the game one squad last year before withdrawing because of injury, could also come into Origin calculations.
Merrin, who hasn’t pulled on the sky blue since 2015, insists he won’t stop fighting for a recall.
“I never will. It’s something that always drives me. As a kid you dream of being in that Blues jersey. I played in 13 games and it’s something that I want to continue to do,” he said.
“If the team goes well, it puts you in a good position for a lot of our players to get picked into a team like that. At the end of the day it comes down to what footy you and the club’s playing.”
The former St George Illawarra forward admitted he was well below his best in 2017 but on the back of a full pre- season, is adamant he can rediscover his best football.