Murray on Fittler's Origin watch list

NSW coach Brad Fittler has been keeping a close eye on South Sydney lock Cameron Murray for several years and thinks the 21-year-old could be knocking on the door for State of Origin.

Speaking at the launch of the new-look Canterbury Cup NSW, Fittler said Murray is a chance of breaking into the State of Origin ranks after his breakout year in 2018.

Murray has followed the NSWRL pathways program from SG Ball to the under 20s, through to the state's second-tier competition and now the NRL.

"A lot of people of talk about Cam Murray possibly stepping up to the next level,” Fittler said.

"It seems like it will be a natural progression for him. He was so good as a 16-year-old kid playing for NSW and he's so good being a 20-year-old kid playing for South Sydney."

Canterbury-Bulldogs playmaker Brandon Wakeham also stood out to Fittler last year in what was then known as the Intrust Super Premiership. 

He's been upgraded to the Bulldogs' senior roster and Fittler thinks the 20-year-old could break into the Telstra Premiership in 2019.

"I've been with Brandon all the way through the pathways," Fittler said.

"I've liked his cheek and I really hope he makes that next step up.

"I've always had a lot of faith in his football - he's a real courageous kid and I hope he proves a couple of people wrong.

"He said he's been training with the first team so he's someone I'll be watching out for."

A lot of people of talk about Cam Murray possibly stepping up ... It seems like it a natural progression

Blues coach Brad Fittler on Cameron Murray

With the NSWRL announcing Western Sydney's Bankwest Stadium is set to host the newly named Canterbury Cup NSW grand finals for the next five years, Fittler said exciting times lay ahead for the state.

"It's crucial that we get these pathways right, especially in the Sydney competition," he said.

"We have a great new sponsor in Canterbury and using the new ground in Bankwest is going to be awesome – I can’t wait until that stadium opens.

"It's a great organisation to work for and I'm really proud of what NSW rugby league are doing."