With Nathan Cleary’s status for Origin Game III still up in the air, former Blues coach Phil Gould says there’s an obvious replacement option.

Cleary tweaked his groin prior to Game II and wasn’t at 100%, relinquishing his goalkicking and some of the general field kicking duties.

He is likely to be fine for the decider, given he’s been named to play this weekend, but in case there’s another setback, the Blues will need to find someone to fill the giant void with Mitch Moses sidelined.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa has been the flavour of the month due to the Dolphins’ stunning form of late and in turn, has rocketed into contention for a maiden Blues jersey.

A combination of Jarome Luai and Game II 18th man Matt Burton has also been raised as a possibility, but Gould says the need is for an organising half for such a massive game.

For that reason, Gould believes Broncos star Adam Reynolds should win a call up if Cleary can’t go.

“Honestly, if it were me, and Cleary was out, and you might laugh at this but I wouldn’t, I’d be picking Adam Reynolds,” Gould said on 100% Footy.

“I wouldn’t even hesitate, I wouldn’t even blink.

“I know exactly what I’m going to get. You’re going to get game management, kicking game, goalkicking, whatever you want.

“He’s the one that should be doing the job. Trust me, that’s just a little bit of free advice.

“That’s nothing against Jarome and Matt Burton but that’s not their role, not for an Origin III decider.”

Reynolds, 34, hasn’t featured at the Origin level since 2016 when he partnered James Maloney in the halves.

He played in the first two games of that series, with the Blues losing both.