Roberts bounces back and into Origin frame

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett reckons Brad Fittler would have to be crazy to ignore what he saw from James Roberts against Sydney Roosters.

The Broncos centre played his part in one of the great NRL duels at Suncorp Stadium, taking hit after hit from Sydney Roosters ace Latrell Mitchell before landing the final blow in the hosts' 28-22 win on Friday night.

First Mitchell, still just 20, took the Broncos' right-side defence to the cleaners as he laid on two first-half tries.

He left Roberts clutching at air more than once but crucially the Brisbane flyer responded.

He lifted in defence and displayed his best in attack, setting up a try to start the second half before pinning his ears back and beating five Roosters to score himself.

Roberts ran right by Fittler, who was commentating on the sidelines, for the solo effort that had even Bennett smiling.

Josh Dugan, Euan Aitken, Dylan Walker, Curtis Scott and Jarrod Croker are also in the mix for a berth in the centres for the Blues.

But nobody could blame Fittler for acting on what he saw on Friday night when he selects his team for the June 6 Origin opener in Melbourne.

"I don't think Brad Fittler's that crazy that he didn't see what he did there tonight," Bennett said.

"He's much more mature, in the past he would've gone through the back door on us but tonight he held it together mentally.

"He didn't let his demons interfere with the way he had to play ... he's grown so much."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson agreed the pair had put themselves in the mix while also putting half Luke Keary's name forward after a solid showing in a losing side.