NSW State of Origin halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai claim club combinations will be crucial if a replacement is required for Latrell Mitchell at left centre.
Mitchell remains in doubt for the Origin series opener in Sydney on June 8, with the South Sydney star not due back from a hamstring injury until that week.
The incumbent centre underwent surgery on a knee injury this week but his recovery from that is not expected to exceed his comeback from the hamstring tear.
Fellow centre Tom Trbojevic is also still sidelined through his own knee injury, but is due back in a fortnight and should be available for Origin.
Regardless though, it has shone a light on replacement options.
As things stand, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton and Bradman Best headline the race for Mitchell's spot, with Jack Wighton another option with Origin experience.
Kotoni Staggs, Campbell Graham and Zac Lomax would be considered bolters.
Neither Cleary or Luai were willing to endorse a favourite for the spot when asked by AAP.
But the pair both made it clear combinations are crucial, with both Burton and Crichton having played with the star halves at Penrith.
"Someone who can step in and know what's going on helps a lot," Cleary said.
"I think Critta or Burto would be great options.
"Critta has been in and amongst it before (in camps) and he's been playing some great footy.
"He's also been great defensively which is very important for Origin."
The combinations are made even more important when considering the role Isaah Yeo plays at lock for both Penrith and NSW, digging into the line and acting as a ball-player.
Luai believed combinations would help Crichton slot in easily, with the Panthers' Brian To'o expected to be fit to play on the left wing.
"Just playing with (Crichton) here, it feels very comfortable," Luai said.
"There wouldn't be that many adjustments from here to rep footy."
Crichton played on Luai's edge at left centre for Penrith when they won 17 straight games in 2020, before he moved to the right and Burton played at left in their premiership-winning run last year.
Burton has since moved to the halves at Canterbury, while Crichton remains on the right at Penrith.
But Crichton considers himself a natural left-edge player who could easily move back there, and has admitted he briefly allowed himself to dream of Origin with Mitchell out.
"I played left growing up," Crichton said.
"It would definitely helps a lot with those boys (in Origin).
"They are some of the smartest players in the game.
"The IQ they have, getting me and (fellow Penrith centre Izack) Tago the ball at the right times, it helps us.
"It goes a long way and helps us succeed."
