Cleary admits Origin doubt

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary admits his 2019 form to-date won't be enough to make Brad Fittler's Blues side for Origin I.

Cleary and teammate James Maloney are both looking to face a tough road ahead in retaining their NSW jerseys, with Cody Walker and Luke Keary leading the race for one of the most sought after Origin spots.

“If I’m being honest with myself I don’t deserve it at the moment,” Cleary told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week.

“There are people in my position who are playing a lot better. NSW is lucky in that regard to have depth there.

“It’s hard to go past Luke Keary, he can play No. 6 or No. 7, he showed that in the grand final, and he’s the form player in the whole comp. It’s hard to go past him.”

Cleary admits he needs to turn his own form around if the Panthers are to set sights onto finals, with Penrith currently only managing two wins from their first nine rounds.

“There are still three games to go, hopefully I can put in some better efforts for this Penrith team, which is my job and what I need to do."

“I’ve been focusing too much on the result and everything else instead of playing the game and what I can do well."

“I’m not in great form, it’s frustrating, but I’m working hard each week to better myself and get back into the form I know I can.”