Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has been ruled out for 10 weeks due to a knee injury, putting him out of contention for State of Origin I.
Scans on Saturday confirmed Cleary suffered a grade three medial ligament injury during Friday’s NRL loss to Canterbury.
The Panthers’ star playmaker did not return to field after halftime after copping the injury early in the thrilling 20-18 defeat to the Dogs at ANZ Stadium.
His injury blow comes less than a week after the club lost props Sam McKendry and Tim Browne to long-term injuries, while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is out for six weeks.
Cleary’s injury leaves coach Anthony Griffin short on options on who to partner James Maloney in the halves.
Tyrone May, who guided the Panthers to the second week of the finals last year, is not expected back from an ACL injury until round five.
Former NSW halfback Peter Wallace shapes as a left-field option despite having found a new lease on life at hooker during the past two seasons.
He slotted into the halves, with utility Tyrone Peachey filling in at dummy-half, in the second half against the Bulldogs and Griffin suggested he could move there during Cleary’s absence.
“Pete did a reasonable job there, being thrown in at five-eighth,” Griffin said.
“Jimmy did a lot of the first-receiver stuff and was almost good enough to get us home.
“We’ll have a look at that, cool down and take stock.”