The Penrith Panthers have struck gold for both The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and their NRL side with the skills Sean O’Sullivan put on display a week ago, according to True Blue Luke Lewis.
Reviewing the opening round of the NSW Cup competition in the NSWRL’s podcast ‘The Short Side’ Lewis couldn’t help but envisage what O’Sullivan can do when he returns to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition after his time in first grade.
O’Sullivan has been the stand-in No.7 for the NRL side while premiership-winning halfback Nathan Cleary gets full strength into his shoulder after an off-season reconstruction.
“Wow - what a performance Sean O’Sullivan had on Thursday night against the Manly Sea Eagles,” Lewis said of the 28-6 win from Round One.
“That makes me super excited for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season. He’s going to be electrifying.”
O’Sullivan made 10 runs, 28 tackles, let fly with 15 positional kicks for 385 metres including one forced drop-out. He was more than a handful in attack in attack with three line-break assists and two try assists for his teammates, alongside three tackle-busts.
The 23-year-old has been somewhat on a Rugby League journey with 22 NRL games, and now at his fourth club.
He made his debut in 2018 at the Roosters before stints at the Broncos and Warriors.
“The way that he played on the weekend – the control, his defence, his kicking game – it really complemented the work he’s been doing in the off-season with Nathan Cleary,” Lewis said.
“Keep a close eye on him.”
O’Sullivan has again been named at No.7 for the Panthers NRL Round 2 duel with the Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium at Kogarah on Friday night.
