Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has defended skipper Stephen Crichton amid claims he could be snubbed for the NSW Blues in State of Origin I.

The Daily Telegraph reported Ciraldo would be shocked if Crichton wasn’t picked and warned he will be back to his best against the Sharks in Magic Round.

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Crichton returned early from an AC injury and his form has suffered for the Bulldogs amid their slump, which has seen them lose seven of their past eight games.

It has sparked reports Laurie Daley is set to overlook Crichton in favour of in form stars Latrell Mitchell and Kotoni Staggs as his centres for Origin I.

However, Ciraldo warned that would be a mistake and unfair on one of the Blues’ best players in recent years.

“I would be shocked (if he is not picked),” Ciraldo said.

“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.

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“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.

“But we know he’s had some good training in the last couple of weeks, and I’m confident we’ll see the best of him tomorrow.”

Ciraldo said it was unfair to judge Crichton’s form when most players would not have returned as early as he did from his shoulder injury to help the Bulldogs arrest their form slide.

“I know that he came back from injury early and put the team first in that regard,” Ciraldo said.

“He’s been battling through, but I think he’s starting to get back to the confidence that we know he has and I know he’s ready to bring his best game tomorrow.”

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