State of Origin: Bulldogs star Matt Burton called into Blues camp after Bradman Best injury scare

Bradman Best is a man of few words but he said enough to instil confidence in his fitness for the deciding Origin game after going for scans on a sore hamstring. LATEST BLUES NEWS

Bradman Best is a man of few words but he said all the right ones on Monday.

The 22-year-old NSW centre has come into Blues camp for next week’s Origin decider under an injury cloud after he reported hamstring tightness out of Newcastle’s touch win over Canberra on Sunday.

He was sent for scans on Monday morning on the way into Blues camp, but he will be given the week to prove he can overcome the complaint.

And he shows every confidence he’ll play game three in Brisbane.

“I just pulled up a bit tight from yesterday’s game. I flagged it with our physios and they obviously reported it to the Blues physios here. We’re all good,” he told media ahead of his Origin return.

“Just at the end of the game it got tight, it was probably because of the travel and the coldness (in Canberra), I reckon. The physios will monitor me and it’ll be all good.”

In a good sign for the Blues, he said he wasn’t immediately concerned when he felt the soreness.

“Injuries are a part of the game, as footy players it comes with it and you sort of get your head around it. I’ll make sure I get my body right and be all good to go,” he said.

Best was named as a replacement for Latrell Mitchell (foot) and is in line to return to Origin for the first time since scoring two tries on debut in game three last year.

But should the worst happen, in-form Bulldogs star Matt Burton is on standby has been named as 18th man.

It’s the second time this series he’s played the role of a back-up option.

Bradman Best has confidence in his hamstring. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I’m more than happy to do anything for this team, put the jersey back on. It means a lot to wear this jersey and wear my family name on the back, so wherever I’m needed I’m happy to be here,” Burton said.

“I’ll find out how Braddy is and hopefully he’s all good to go. I’ll just prepare as best as I can and if anything happens I’m ready to go.

“Madge was pretty clear with me, he said if anything happens with Brad he’ll need me, but being called in to be 18th man is pretty cool.

“It’s the best players in the game and I love being around them.”

The Blues will head into camp in the Blue Mountains for the final game of the series on Wednesday, before travelling to Brisbane on Sunday.

Matt Burton has been called into camp as cover for Best. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Best will ease his way through training this week on a restricted training program, with the hope of full-load running by the weekend.

Speaking first thing on Monday morning Maguire was confident Best will play.

“Bradman will bring what Bradman brings,” Maguire said.

“Especially his development in the past 12 months, and sitting with Bradman, how he sees his game and his professionalism.

“He is a real pro about what he does. I talk to the staff up there and they say how diligent he is about how he gets everything right.”

Blues players enter camp

Best was the first local player to arrive to Origin camp on Monday morning.

Skipper Jake Trbojevic was next with his golf clubs in tow.

Liam Martin was the first of Penrith’s contingent to arrive just before 10.30am.

Interstate players Reece Robson and Mitchell Barnett were the first to arrive at the team hotel on Sunday night.

Dylan Edwards waves goodbye to his family. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Robson opted for a spot of shopping first thing in the morning before the rest of his teammates arrived, getting into an Uber to head to DFO Outlet in Homebush.

Panthers teammates Jarome Luai and Brian To’o arrived together with Luai reserving the front seat of a Maserati for his golf clubs.

The Blues are set to give the greens at the Fairmont Reserve a serious workout with almost every player checking in with a set of golf clubs.

Dylan Edwards blew kisses as his two young daughters as they drove away after dropping him off outside the Pullman Hotel.

Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton was by the most popular arrival, stopping multiple times to take photos with waiting fans.

Luai and To’o got the Penrith band back together, heading for a quick bite to eat with former teammates Spencer Leniu and Crichton right after checking in.

Stephen Crichton at the team hotel ahead of State of Origin Game 3. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The media was again kept at bay as players filtered through on Monday morning.

The entire squad will front the media for the first time at lunch time before officially kicking off preparations with a team meeting later in the day.

Maguire will move preparations to the Blues mountains on Tuesday afternoon, where the side will hold its first full training session ahead of next Wednesday’s decider at Suncorp Stadium.