Liam Martin has downplayed concerns about his hand injury, describing it as just “a bit of carry on,” while expressing confidence that it won’t affect his performance or his run to the finals. The Penrith star hurt his right hand early in the game during a tackle by Kurt Capewell and had to have it strapped up, but remains optimistic about his fitness moving forward.
Following Wednesday night’s games, NRL clubs were busy assessing the condition of their State of Origin players, deciding whether to rest key stars or let them back up for upcoming matches in the finals series. Among the injuries reported, Martin’s was the most concerning for Penrith, as he was scheduled to undergo scans to determine if there was a fracture. The results were expected on Friday.
Martin remained upbeat about the injury, saying, “It’s come good, a bit of a carry on. It’s feeling alright now.” He added that although the contact to his hand was painful at first, the discomfort eased as the game progressed. This positive attitude from Martin has helped ease any worries the club and fans might have had about his availability.
Penrith’s injury concerns don’t stop with Martin. Brian To’o also played through pain in their loss on Wednesday, battling a heavily strapped knee after suffering a grade-two lateral tear. The Panthers are still undecided on whether all five of their Origin representatives will take the field against Parramatta on Sunday, with To’o’s fitness being the biggest question mark.
Despite the injury, To’o was adamant that it did not hold him back during the game. He revealed that he had only trained properly for the first time in the camp just two days before the match. “I was never in doubt,” To’o said. “If I was really in doubt I would have put the team first and pulled myself out for someone fit to play.”
He further explained that his main concern was the physical contact during the match, viewing the game as a valuable test to see if he could manage his injury effectively. To’o remains confident about his readiness for Penrith’s next game, saying, “I’ll be ready. Unless my leg is broken, then I will always keep putting on the jersey and keep playing.”
The situation around State of Origin players was a common theme across the league, with many clubs opting to delay decisions on whether their representatives would back up immediately after the intense representative matches. On Thursday, the only Origin player possibly playing again that night was Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, giving most teams some breathing room to manage their stars’ workloads carefully.
Overall, while some injuries have caused concern, the prevailing attitude among players and clubs alike is cautious optimism. Penrith’s key players, especially Martin and To’o, are determined to push through their setbacks and maintain their focus on the team’s finals campaign. Fans and officials will be watching closely as these players recover and prepare to contribute to their teams’ success in the critical weeks ahead.
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