League: Lewis out to take Origin opportunity

Penrith utility Luke Lewis has paid tribute to Glenn Stewart after replacing the suspended Manly backrower on the NSW bench for Wednesday's opening State of Origin clash in Melbourne.

Lewis came into the Blues' lineup after Stewart was suspended for one match for a dangerous throw by the NRL judiciary.

Lewis was on the wing in 2004 when he played the last of his three Origins.

Having put on 13kg in the intervening years, he is set to slot in at lock for Origin I at Etihad Stadium.

Lewis said Stewart had given him plenty of advice and support since he was listed as 18th man when the NSW team was announced on Monday night.

"He was pretty good to me at the start of the week. giving me a heads-up and that helped me mentally," Lewis said today at Skilled Stadium, the home ground of AFL club Geelong.

"I've just been trying to prepare for the game as much as I can.

"I appreciate it heaps. Glenn's an unreal bloke and the way he handled everything was really good.

"He just said prepare to play and gave me a good indication of how to prepare and that's probably just the experience coming through and helping me out."

Either Anthony Laffranchi or Anthony Watmough is likely to be named the Blues' new 18th man this weekend.

- AAP