Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed his surprise at the possibility of star centre Stephen Crichton being excluded from New South Wales selection amid growing speculation about his State of Origin prospects.
Crichton, who has made 12 appearances for the Blues since his 2022 debut, has established himself as a reliable presence in the Origin setup, having participated in every match over the last four years.
Despite a challenging start to the season for the team, Ciraldo firmly backed his captain, who has made a return from a shoulder injury to assist the Bulldogs in regaining their renowned form from 2025.
The Bulldogs began the year with expectations of a top-four finish, yet currently find themselves in 13th place on the ladder following a patchy season.
Ciraldo highlighted the importance of considering Crichton's recent performance within the context of his recovery from injury and his dedication to the squad.
"I would be shocked (if he is not picked)," Ciraldo stated in an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Thursday.
"He's been one of New South Wales' best for the past number of seasons - and when it comes to Origin time, you can rely on those sorts of guys.
"He knows what it's about, and he knows how to get himself ready for those types of environments and those types of games.
"He's an Origin player. We knew that when we bought him, that he wouldn't be available at these times of year, and he rises to those occasions as well."