Gulgong gun Josh Jackson has nine State of Origin appearances next to his name and he could add to that tally in 2019.
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The former Mudgee Dragon has been named in Brad Fittler’s 32-strong NSW Blues squad ahead of next year’s origin series.
Jackson, 27, missed out on last year’s 2-1 series win over Queensland but will join those players who helped NSW claim back the shield for the first time since 2014 and a host of other new and returning names – including Aaron Woods, Jack Bird, Blake Ferguson and the much-maligned Mitch Pearce – when the squad assembles at the soon-to-open NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Friday, December 14.
Orange-born five-eighth James Maloney, Tyrone Peachey (Wellington) and Young duo Angus Crichton and Jordon McLean also made the squad.
We won't be training but having them around each other will only further strengthen the bond they formed this year.
- NSW coach Brad Fittler.
"For most of them it will be the first time we've seen them since after the series," Fittler said.
"It puts a full-stop on finalising the year and getting their feedback from this year's series, and also allows us an opportunity to look ahead for our defence of the Shield in 2019.
"It's always beneficial to get them to spend time together. We won't be training but having them around each other will only further strengthen the bond they formed this year."
An emerging NSW Blues squad is still in the process of being finalised and will be announced in the near future for a training camp on Thursday, December 13.
NSW Blues extended training squad:
- Jack Bird (Brisbane Broncos), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Jack De Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons), Dale Finucane (Melbourne Storm), Blake Ferguson (Parramatta Eels), Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons), Wade Graham (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans), Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters), David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), James Maloney (Penrith Panthers), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys), Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tyrone Peachey (Gold Coast Titans), Mitchell Pearce (Newcastle Knights), Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos), Matt Prior (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons), Aaron Woods (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks).
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
