'Sky is the limit': Burton backed for vacant Blues spot

Matt Burton has put his name firmly at the front of NSW selectors' minds, producing a quality performance to help the Bulldogs topple the Dragons on Thursday night.

The five-eighth is in the mix for a spot in the Blues side for the State of Origin opener and did his chances no harm against St George Illawarra, crossing for a double as Canterbury ran away with a 44-12 victory at Accor Stadium.

Burton is battling it out with the likes of Cody Walker and Jarome Luai to wear the No.6 jersey for the Blues and according to his coach Cameron Ciraldo, he wouldn't look out of place in rugby league's toughest arena.

"Origin is the last thing on my mind - but I know we've got class players here that are going to be in those teams if they are playing consistently and the good thing is, our team is playing consistently and those guys are getting mentioned," he said.

Matt Burton celebrates against the Dragons.

"He's doing a lot better, but the sky is the limit for him. If he puts it all together, it's not going to be a debate if he's in that team.

"He's done a fair bit the last couple of weeks and put himself in the frame … if he gets the opportunity, I'm sure he will take it with both hands."

Burton has played for NSW in the past at centre, but the 24-year-old is now a genuine halves option with the likes of Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses sidelined with injury.

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Another player from the Bulldogs who remains in the hunt for selection is Josh Addo-Carr, who is a proven big-game player and has shown plenty of improvement in 2024.

"He's definitely got to be in the conversation," Ciraldo said.

Josh Addo-Carr has been in sound form this year for the Bulldogs.

"He played Origin last year and he's in such a better position this year.

"Physically, he has put on four or five kilos of muscle, he's doing this carnivore diet that he reckons helps him. He has worked so hard on his body, on his understanding of the game and I think he's at a really mature part of his career now."

Canterbury moved back into the top-eight with their lob-sided win over the Dragons, who were dealt a major blow when Jack Bird and Hame Sele went off injured.