August 26, 2026 — 3:34pmThe most valuable lessons Casey McLean has learnt in his short NRL career came when he last faced Canterbury.That was in round six, when the previously undefeated Penrith lost their first match of the season. It was a particularly sobering experience for McLean, who was sent to the sin bin and subsequently suspended for a shoulder charge on Bulldogs prop Max King, who was left with a broken jaw.“Obviously I’m very sorry for what happened to him, but he’s been killing it since he’s come back,” McLean said.“I had a little reflection in the sin bin. I sat in there [wondering], ‘I think this is actually the only time I’ve been sin binned’.”McLean has also reflected on his defensive performance that night. The Bulldogs constantly targeted his left edge, where Lachlan Galvin and Jacob Preston in particular created several line breaks in a 32-16 win.The NSW three-quarter will have a different pivot playing alongside him for Friday’s rematch – Jack Cole will wear the No.6 jersey in the absence of the suspended Jack Cogger – while Blaize Talagi, who was also exposed defensively in that initial Bulldogs clash, has been named on the bench.Casey McLean is sin binned for a hit that broke Max King’s jaw.Getty Images“We started the year well, but then the Bulldogs came and gave us a little punch in the face,” McLean said. “So it’s about not getting too comfortable.”There are few deficiencies in a Panthers outfit that is the favourite to take out the title. However, the Bulldogs exposed their edge defence in that last outing and McLean views Friday’s clash at CommBank Stadium as an opportunity to get back on track before the finals.“You’re never going to be perfect, but you’re always striving to be,” he said.“So, getting as many reps and banking as much as we can together at training – even off the field, a bit of connection – that’s what we’re trying to build,” he said.Casey McLean made his Origin debut this year.Getty Images“Their right edge is exceptionally strong, so this will be a good challenge for us coming forward. On Friday, it’ll be a good challenge not just for our edge, but the whole team.”It has been a rapid rise for McLean, who at the age of 20 has won a premiership and represented New Zealand and NSW. Last week, he signed a new contract that will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2030.The Blacktown product had no desire to test his value on the open market, even though the PNG Chiefs are about to enter the fray with their tax-free dollars.“Growing up playing for Penrith pretty much my whole life and growing up in the area, knowing that they wanted me around helped me a lot as well,” he said. “It’s been such a great club for so long; I didn’t really want to leave. Being able to flourish at this club will hopefully be a good stepping stone for my future.“This club and all the coaching staff, they gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. I feel like I’m still at an age where some people would still be playing younger grades, but they gave me the opportunity and the chance to showcase not just who I am as a player, but a person. So I wanted to give back to this club and respect what they’ve done for me.”McLean said he had gained confidence from being part of NSW’s State of Origin series victory.“I found myself just backing what I’ve been told to do,” he said. “Obviously, led by skip Yeoy [Penrith and NSW captain Isaah Yeo] – ever since getting into that camp, a little bit of him just telling me, ‘You’re here for a reason’, and stuff like that.“He’s been a big reason for why my form might have been as good as it was.”While McLean has recommitted to the Panthers, teammate and older brother Jesse has agreed to terms with Friday’s opponents, Canterbury.From our partners