South Sydney lock Cameron Murray has backed NRL teammate Campbell Graham to nab a NSW jersey next month, saying he is “made for Origin”.
The 21-year-old Graham will go head-to-head with red-hot Penrith centre Stephen Crichton in Saturday’s preliminary final in a battle for not only a grand final spot, but selection in Brad Fittler’s Blues side.
Murray, who played all three games for NSW in last year’s series win, has backed Graham to make the transition to the representative stage.
“Campbell has really taken his whole game to another level this year, he’s very reliable there in the centres,” Murray said on Tuesday.
“You can always rely on him to do the tough carries, be there when you need him and rely on him to finish off tries and be a competitor across the park.
“He’s that type of player that is made for Origin and I think he’ll stand out in that arena if it comes.”
This season has been the best of Graham’s young career, after making his NRL debut in 2017, while Crichton is one of the breakout stars of the year.
The 20-year-old Panthers star made his debut last year but has scored 16 tries in 20 games for the minor premiers in 2020 to put himself in the frame for an Origin spot.
In 2017, Graham and Crichton were teammates in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges open team, with the former going on to co-captain the Australian Schoolboys side in the same year.
“I actually played with Stephen in a junior rep team in the CCCs coming through the schoolboys ranks so I always saw what a talent he was,” Graham said.
“He was a very good player back then and in the couple of years since then he’s progressed massively.
“He’s got a lot of skill, got the footwork and speed and he’s good under the high ball.
“He’s a talented young kid obviously and I’ll do my best to keep him quiet.”
Graham has been on Fittler’s radar since last year, but the pair haven’t spoken yet .
Regardless of whether there’s a spot in the Origin squad on the line, Graham wants to test himself against the Panthers, who have been the competition’s best this season, at ANZ Stadium.
“It’s always good as an athlete to test yourself against the best centres and others in your position,” Graham said.
“I’m more looking forward to the challenge in general.”
