Bargain buys now crucial as Cleary faces long ban
ROOKIE halfback Sean O’Sullivan and five-eighth Jaeman Salmon have emerged as frontrunners to save Penrith’s NRL season.
Earning the base salary for an NRL contract, cut-price halves O’Sullivan and Salmon are suddenly as important as multimillion-dollar duo Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Cleary will not play again until the finals after being charged by the NRL match review committee for a grade three dangerous throw on Parramatta’s Dylan Brown during the Panthers’ loss on Friday night.
Penrith’s most influential player is likely to take the early plea, which equates to five weeks on the sidelines – returning in week one of the finals series.
Cleary conceded as much when he took to social media to apologise for the “terrible” tackle.
“Massive apologies for tonight,” the Panthers’ skipper posted on Instagram.
“Filthy at myself for such a dumb moment that let the boys and the fans down.
“I’m not about that, it was terrible technique and I need to be better.”
Luai is out for between four to six weeks with an MCL knee injury.
Penrith officials have not given up hope the NSW Origin five-eighth could be back for the final round of the season.
NSW Cup halfback Kurt Falls is another option in the halves for Penrith coach Ivan Cleary.
But it is O’Sullivan and Salmon – both of whom combined once Cleary was sent off on Friday night – who are favoured to line up against the Raiders in Canberra next Saturday.
The Panthers then face Melbourne ( home), South Sydney (away), Warriors (home), Cowboys (away) in the run home to the finals.
O’Sullivan and Salmon helped Penrith win the second half against the Eels 6-4.
But the task is suddenly more formidable with the cut-price duo responsible for holding on to Penrith’s eight-point lead for the minor premiership.