‘Should be in’: Origin push for Bulldogs star

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed Matt Burton to reclaim his NSW Blues jersey but has urged his five-eighth to consistently play his best footy to remove any doubt in the selectors’ minds.

Burton played two games in the 2022 series and scored a try on debut at centre for the Blues, but he was overlooked last year as the Maroons retained the State of Origin shield.

Winning form helps any player this time of year, and Burton has played a key role in Canterbury’s push into the top eight, with the playmaker running the ball a lot more and even playing both sides of the field in the win over the Wests Tigers.

He’s already had as many line breaks in eight games as he did all of last year, with Burton scoring a hat-trick and running for 114m in the win over the Roosters where he showcased his versatility in the halves and out wide.

“I think Matt Burton at his best should be in those teams, but that’s up to ‘Burto’,” Ciraldo said.

“Everyone’s searching for consistency, so if Burto finds that consistency and does it for 80 minutes and does it for a few weeks in a row then we won’t be talking about if he’s in those teams, he will be in those teams.

“He’s getting closer (to his best), but he’s still got a way to go.

“We’re on the journey with him. I think he’s improved in a lot of things this year, but I’m really excited to see him reach his potential.

“I know if he does that then we’ll be a better team for it.”

Burton was part of Michael Maguire’s Origin camp earlier in the year that shows he’s on the new coach’s radar, but he faces stiff competition to win back his spot.

Nicho Hynes, Jarome Luai and Mitch Moses – pending fitness – are favourites to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, while Tom Trbojevic and Bradman Best are the leading contenders to play left centre.

Burton said he’d “play anywhere” if selected, with the Bulldogs star open to coming off the bench if that’s what’s best for the team.

“I’ve had a taste of it so it’d be nice to get back in there, but I’ll just keep doing what’s best for the team and hopefully something comes from it,” the man with the booming left boot said.

“I think I’m just trying to get better each game. I’m just looking at that and trying to implement the things that I can work on. I feel like I’m getting there.”