'Nothing wrong': Stephen Crichton plays down injury fears as Blues back-up plan revealed
Updated . First published at
Stephen Crichton insists he will starting in the State of Origin series opener, despite giving fans a scare he may be out injured after sitting out of NSW Blues training on Wednesday.
The gun centre helped run drills and passed the ball to his teammates, but didn't take part in the main session from the side's Central Coast base a week out from game one.
Crichton has been hampered by an shoulder injury for much of this season, requiring a painkilling injection to get through training sessions and game days with the Bulldogs.
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NSW staffers were confident that Crichton would be fit for match day and so was the 25-year-old when speaking to reporters.
"It's good. It is good," he said of his shoulder injury.
"It is basically all good now. There is nothing wrong with it."
Stephen Crichton looks on during a New South Wales Blues training. Getty
Crichton confirmed he is not currently on painkillers for the injury, but will likely be come time to take the field next Wednesday.
"I will probably just have to needle it before the game," he added.
"Last week I took a massive step forward at Bulldogs training, tackling without a guard or a needle.
"I am excited to be stress free and not have to worry about it this week."
Watch the 2026 State of Origin series live and free exclusively on Nine and 9Now.
Laurie Daley's staff have taken a cautious approach with the Bulldogs captain, but will have young gun Casey McLean on standby should he be ruled out.
The 20-year-old spoke to media from camp and said he would continue training in Crichton's place with the mindset of possibly making his Origin debut.
"Loz [coach Laurie Daley] already told me 'Just train like you're playing'. I'm grateful to be part of this, I'll still train like normal," McLean said.
"There's heaps of boys I know here and then connect up with other boys."
Stephen Crichton high-fives Casey McLean at training. Nine
"Loz [coach Laurie Daley] already told me 'Just train like you're playing'. I'm grateful to be part of this, I'll still train like normal," McLean said.
"There's heaps of boys I know here and then connect up with other boys."
Watch the 2026 State of Origin series live and free exclusively on Nine and 9Now.
Panthers and NSW captain Isaah Yeo was also confident the 25-year-old would suit up.
"I'll be very surprised if Critta is in any doubt at all," Yeo said.
"Critta will be fine, but at the same time, Casey's here because Laurie trusts him.
"I think we have picked a really strong side, it is a mobile group."
If McLean was to start, it would continue an incredible rise for a player who has become one of the first beneficiaries of the new Origin eligibility rules.
Casey McLean. NRL Imagery
The strike centre has already played four games for New Zealand, but was born and raised in western Sydney and featured in the U19s Origin fixture two years ago.
McLean also brushed off an embarrassing gaffe from Daley when naming the team, where he referred to the debutant as former Maroons hooker Casey McGuire.
"It's funny. Daley apologised, but it's a funny story," McLean said.
"I did not [know who McGuire was]. Obviously a few things came out and I had to give him a little research. He's got more [premiership] rings than me."
