Why QLD legend is ‘least confident I’ve been’ as Blues eye MCG ambush — LIVE – MASHAHER

Queensand can wrap up a third straight series at the MCG on Wednesday night but Maroons legend Cooper Cronk admits he’s the “least confident he’s been” in any game of Billy Slater’s tenure.

That’s because a new-look NSW Blues will be absolutely desperate to square the series after going down 38-10 in a controversial series opener.

“Desperation forces you to the contest earlier than your opposition.” Cronk said on the Matty Johns Podcast.

“…. And then once you’ve got a lot of people thinking that way, that’s why it ends up being that desperation that plays a key part.

“And to be fair, mate, like if I’m being completely honest, I’m probably more or less confident about Queensland in this game than any other game under Billy’s leadership because of that.”

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The Blues have made five changes to their Game One team and Cronk has identified fullback Dylan Edwards as the danger man for Queensland tonight.

“I feel like he has just been building for this moment. This kid’s been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,” Cronk said.

“… I just feel like he’s gonna make up for lost time.”

CLEARY COMEBACK HOPES SHUT DOWN BY PANTHERS

It doesn’t sound like Nathan Cleary is a chance of making a surprise comeback for the potential State of Origin series decider.

The Panthers are cautiously optimistic that Cleary will make his return from a hamstring injury for their round 20 match against the Dolphins next month, effectively ruling him out of a miracle comeback for the Blues in game three.

Cleary hasn’t played since scans revealed a grade two hamstring tear against the Bulldogs in round 10 in what was just his second game back from a similar injury suffered in the grand final rematch.

The triple premiership winner has been restricted to just five appearances this season after he conjured the greatest grand final comeback last year, but the Panthers have handled his absence well to sit second with the best defensive record.

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The initial timeline on his return was for Cleary to miss eight weeks, but it looks like Panthers fans will have to wait a little longer for their home match on July 21 which would also rule him out of a shock comeback for Origin III.

“We’re hopeful (that he’ll be back) after our next bye,” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said.

“We’ve got a couple of games and then a bye, but that hasn’t been confirmed. He’s steadily going through his rehab and it’s going well. Let’s hope he keeps going well.

“That was a fairly loose target and it hasn’t been confirmed, but his rehab is going well.

“(His return date) has nothing to do with how we’ve been playing. This decision was made from the time he had the second injury.

“The bye is a part of it because if your team’s not here, you miss full team training which actually adds to the length of the rehab. At this stage everything is on track.”

Cleary has resumed training but is weeks away from peak fitness, with the Panthers unwilling to risk their most important player as they chase a fourth title in a row.

“He’s running but he’s a bit off hitting top speed and doing everything with the team. He’s gradually getting there,” his dad said.

“He’s well aware of the plan and everything involved. The last thing we all want is a re-injury.

“We’ve probably done more this time in and around looking into as many things as we could find (to help him) and we’re really comfortable with the approach we’ve taken. We’re very confident he’ll be fine.”

— Martin Gabor, NCA Newswire

BLUES PROSPECT’S BIZARRE ORIGIN II TIP

Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May is having an outstanding season, with many tipping it’s only a matter of time before he plays for the Blues.

Fox League’s Bryan Fletcher even predicted recently the 25-year-old could be called up by NSW as soon as next season.

But the Sydney-born forward might want to clarify his allegiances after a curious prediction for tonight’s match at the MCG.

The Roosters posted an Instagram reel of their players giving Origin tips with May simply offering “Queensland” into the camera.

It might have been a jestful reply — given teammate Joseph Manu jokingly tipped the “New South Maroons — but May wouldn’t be the first player to have revealed a surprising affection for a rival state. Current Blues player Haumole Olakau’atu once openly spoke about his love for the Maroons.

MYLES’ HILARIOUS REFLECTION ON SUAALII MOMENT

Queensland legend and current assistant Nate Myles has shed light on his infamous sideline incident with Joseph Suaalii after he was sent off for an ugly high shot on Reece Walsh in Game I.

Myles was seen mocking the Roosters gun as he walked off the field and reportedly said: “Hope you enjoyed your f****ng debut”.

The former Maroons prop was handed a fine for the incident, and reflected on it in a light-hearted manner on SEN on Wednesday.

“It’s a bit of a funny one, I’m a little bit disappointed that people would think that I swear at an upstanding citizen of the game,” Myles said.

“I’m a very big fan of Joseph’s game, he’s a very physical player, he’s a big lad, he’s very athletic and he likes the tough stuff.

“Everyone knows his style of footy is that way, he’s a very honest footballer.

“I just wanted to be honest with him and just let him quietly know how his performance was.”

Myles also was asked by NRL360 host Braith Anasta on Tuesday night: “Are you going to be a good boy on the sideline tomorrow night?”

To which replied: “I’m always a good boy… (and) truth be told Billy has got a beautiful house and there’s a lot of glass in it.”

QLD ASSISTANT’S CHEEKY REPLY TO BLUES CLAIM

Maroons assistant coach Josh Hannay has cheekily denied there was any intention behind Queensland’s late arrival to Tuesday’s joint press conference.

Hannay smirked when a reporter asked if Billy Slater, Harry Grant and Daly Cherry-Evans arriving late to the media opportunity was a deliberate ploy from the Maroons to try and rattle the Blues.

“Being late to the fan day, was that intentional? The Blues were a little bit teed off about it,” a reporter asked Hannay.

“What happened there sorry?” the Maroons assistant replied.

“You guys were maybe ten minutes late to the fan day,” the reporter remarked.

“Yeah unaware of that,” Hannay said with a grin.

“No intention there. It is what it is.”

The Blues were reportedly “filthy” with Queensland’s tardiness, with Maguire commenting, “I always like to turn up on time.”

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INJURY SCARE FORCES SHOCK BLUES CALL

In just his second State of Origin appearance, NSW winger Zac Lomax has reportedly been given the nod for the all-important goalkicking job for the Blues.

The Blues needed a new man to fill the role after Game I kicker Nicho Hynes was dropped.

Recalled half Mitch Moses was the warm favourite to take over in Game II, but due to an injury scare in camp, the Eels star pulled out of the race to take conversions according to The Daily Telegraph.

Moses, who has missed most of the 2024 season with a fractured foot, will be right to play on Wednesday night.

However he has experienced some soreness in that foot during Origin camp and hence, has decided to remove himself from the running for the goalkicking gig.

Lomax, who is striking at just under 80% with the boot this season, beat out Souths star Latrell Mitchell for the job, with the Blues coaching staff reportedly only making their decision late Tuesday.

STAR’S REGRET OVER REACTION TO DCE TREATMENT

Blues edge forward Angus Crichton says he regrets not “getting in the face” of Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans after the Queensland star was caught delivering a “cheap shot” in Game I.

The incident was brought to light by Blues legend Andrew Johns, who urged Crichton to fight back in Game II.

“I actually saw a clip of a bit of cheap shot from Daly,” Johns said.

“He got Angus on the ground, so Angus don’t cop that mate.”

The vision shows Cherry-Evans roughing up Crichton with a push to the head before dropping his knees into the Blues star.

“I should have got up and reacted,” Crichton told NRL.com when asked about the incident.

“When I watched the game back I regretted not getting in his face there, but I’ll save it for Game II.

“That’s life but we will get on with it and get a win in Melbourne.”

Cherry-Evans played a straight bat when asked about the incident at Wednesday’s joint press conference.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it, only because this time of year it’s honestly not in my best interests to be watching what you guys talk about,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I don’t mean that out of disrespect, there’s obviously a job for you guys to do to create hype and excitement around our game.

“I really don’t have a great understanding about what has been said this week, I’m just excited about going out there and playing.”

MADGE FUELS FIRE AGAIN WITH ANOTHER BILLY SLEDGE

Blues coach Michael Maguire has fired another shot at Billy Slater and the Maroons ahead of Game II at the MCG.

Following a drama-filled build up to the MCG clash after Maguire’s ‘glass houses’ sledge -widely assumed to be aimed at Slater – the Origin coaches went head-to-head at a joint press conference in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

Maguire and Blues captains Jake Trbojevic and Isaah Yeo arrived on time, but the presser started 10-15 minutes late due to the tardiness of Slater, Daly Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant.

Maguire wasn’t too impressed by Queensland’s lack of punctuality.

“Well, I always like to turn up on time,” Maguire told The Daily Telegraph following the press conference.

While Slater and Maguire shook hands at the press conference, the pair didn’t engage with each other while on stage.

In an awkward moment on NRL360 last Monday, Slater said he never believed Maguire’s sledge was aimed at him. He stuck with that stance when asked about it during the press conference.

Maguire however, appeared to confirm the ‘glass houses’ jab was directed at Slater, who accrued a lengthy judiciary rap sheet during his playing days.

“I think you all worked that out so I’ll leave that with you guys, but one thing I do is that I look after my players and we look after our players so that’s where it was focused,” Maguire said.