Liam Martin, a key player for the Penrith Panthers, is facing a tight deadline to recover for Game 2 of the 2024 State of Origin series after sustaining a foot injury. Despite being a regular starter for the Blues in recent years, Martin’s defensive performance in this year’s opener raised some concerns. It’s been revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald that he won’t be able to play for the Panthers this weekend due to the injury, and there’s uncertainty about his availability for Round 15 against the Newcastle Knights or the second State of Origin game.
Martin apparently sustained the injury during the first half of the opener, where the Blues, reduced to 12 men, suffered a defeat against Queensland. He’s currently wearing a moon boot, and it’s emerged that he played through the injury after receiving a halftime pain-killing injection, raising questions about Michael Maguire’s bench rotation strategy.
If Martin is unable to play, the Blues may need to adjust their lineup, possibly moving Haumole Olakau’atu or Hudson Young into the starting lineup alongside Angus Crichton, and finding another forward for the bench. Keaon Koloamatangi, who debuted in Origin last year, could be a leading option if Maguire opts for an edge forward, while Stefano Utoikamanu is a likely choice for a middle forward position.
There’s also debate about whether Maguire should consider selecting a utility player for Game 2, which could lead to further changes in the Blues’ lineup regardless of Martin’s fitness.
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