Gold Coast have been boosted by the return of a State of Origin back-rower but Penrith may lose one of their own for Saturday night's crunch NRL clash.

Trent Waterhouse is set to put family before football by staying at home to be with heavily pregnant wife Sascha as his teammates travelled to the Coast.

Waterhouse is due to fly north on Saturday morning but Penrith have put youngster Joseph Paulo on stand-by in case Sascha goes into labour.

"His wife is due very soon," said Panthers coach Matt Elliott, who wants the former Test and NSW lock to be on hand for the birth.

"While he's a very highly regarded player and a highly rewarded player, there are some things more important than footy and being present for the birth of your first child, and any child, is a particularly big thing in anyone's life."

Waterhouse's potential loss is in contrast to the Titans situation with Queensland Origin forward Ashley Harrison shrugging off a rib injury.

Harrison sustained cracked ribs in the Maroons' 16-10 triumph in the Origin decider this month, forcing him out of the last two matches.

Centres Luke O'Dwyer and Brett Delaney have also been cleared to play.

Coach John Cartwright confidently declared the back-rower would start at Skilled Park against the Panthers after coming through a fitness test.

A former Panthers great, Cartwright has warned his sixth-placed side they need to bring their A-game to overcome a side noted for their inconsistency this season.

Gold Coast's upset win over the Roosters last Friday has boosted their confidence but stand-in halfback Brad Davis said the victory would be "wasted" if they slipped up against Penrith.

"Everyone wrote us off and the belief the 17 blokes showed was outstanding and it paved the way for the win," he said.

"It's crucial that we back it up this week. Penrith are a very dangerous team and are good away from home so it will be a tough game."

Elliott was incensed by Penrith's attitude in last week's upset 30-18 home loss to Newcastle.

It allowed a group of five clubs to move within one point of them at eighth place on a congested table.

"There's a group of teams on 18 points right behind us and we've put ourselves in that situation," he said.

"We have to fight tooth and nail if it's important to us to compete at the back-end of the season."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP