O'Donnell on track for Origin - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

O'Donnell on track for Origin

By David Beniuk 08/05/2010 03:12:59 PM Comments (0)

NSW selectors are breathing a sigh of relief with hardman Luke O'Donnell's knee injury showing signs it is not serious.

O'Donnell was assisted from the field in the 67th minute of Friday night's City-Country Origin clash in Port Macquarie.

The most likely diagnosis is a hyper-extension which would rule the tough lock out of North Queensland's NRL match against the Sydney Roosters on Monday night but should mean he will be right for State of Origin game one on May 26.

O'Donnell was walking freely around the City team hotel on Saturday morning but will have precautionary scans in Sydney over the weekend.

The Cowboys enforcer was City's standout forward, amassing 120m in 18 telling hit-ups and making 25 tackles.

The news is not as good for City five-eighth Kris Keating, who will have scans on both a knee and an ankle.

City doctor David Givney said the Parramatta playmaker had woken up sore after suffering at least a medial ligament strain in the knee, but also a badly swollen ankle.

The knee injury means Keating is looking at a minimum 3-4 weeks on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, man of the match Josh Dugan's Country teammates have spoken of how they marvelled at the freakish 19-year-old all week during camp.

The Canberra fullback scored one try, made another, cleaned up numerous attacking kicks and ran for 209m in the 36-18 win by Country - all after being concussed in the opening minutes and then suffering a cork near his knee late in the first half.

"He's something special," former Raider Todd Carney said.

"He's just going to keep getting better.

"The things I've seen him do this week at camp are unbelievable and I think every other player and every person in camp this week can't believe how good he is for a 19-year-old kid.

"He's smart about the game, he knows it and the sky's the limit for him."

Country captain Brett Kimmorley was doing his best to keep the rising star's feet on the ground, but also couldn't hide how impressed he was.

"Some things you've seen him do this week at training, how talented he is, how much time he's got with the football, he's certainly been outstanding," Kimmorley said.

"For him to go back now after this game, he'll be wonderful for Canberra and his confidence will be glowing.

"If he doesn't get the Blue jersey this year, it's confidence internally that he can handle a big game.

"He just said (after the game), 'Thanks for the week, I'm still learning football'.

"If he keeps putting his hand up like that, keeps developing as a footballer, (shows) persistence, I suppose one day he'll get the reward (of an Origin jersey)."

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