While many 21-year-olds might be nursing a hangover on a Sunday morning, Penrith Panthers star Stephen Crichton was driving his mum to church.

That was when the premiership winner got a call from New South Wales coach Brad Fittler to let him know he would be representing his state in this year's Origin series.

"It was really special – even more special having mum there, we were in the car heading to church," Crichton told ABC Sport.

"His name came up on the caller ID in my car, Freddy was checking up on my concussion from the week before and she clicked who it was.

"He told me the news and mum was just over the moon and she started crying. It was heaps special to experience that with her as well."

The phone call was just as heartwarming for Fittler, who said it was the best call he has made this year.

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"He was with his mum, he was very excited and it's always good telling them they've got their first jersey," he said.

"I could hear her [Crichton's mum] in the background, she was freaking out. That's the beauty of this position; you get to make some really good calls and when you first see them come into camp, it's a real privilege."

Crichton's rise as one of the NRL's standout players is undeniable, but the centre said he was not expecting the call-up to the NSW side.

"I was really surprised, I just didn't want to assume anything," he said.

"I've just been focused on keeping on playing good footy for Penrith and put my best foot forward for the past few years to earn this spot – so it's really good to be here now."

With Origin veterans like Josh Addo-Carr and Jake Trbojevic axed from the side, and Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell out injured, Crichton said the NSW debutants (three in the 17, six in the 22-man squad) have huge shoes to fill.

"Those are massive names that have been injured and couldn't make it as well, but I think it gives opportunity to the boys that have come in," he said.

"Getting this opportunity makes us more hungry to prove ourselves, so we will be fighting really hard for it and fighting for our state."

Since his NRL debut in 2019, the Penrith junior has already played in two grand finals, including the 2021 premiership, and is set to tick off representing the Blues in game one on Wednesday in Sydney.

"Stoked to have game one in Sydney, having the home-crowd advantage helps," he said.

Will the Panthers magic see NSW retain the shield in 2022?

Crichton is one of seven Panthers players in the 22-man squad, joining Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo in the expected 17, with Apisai Koroisau in the reserves.

Crichton is confident the Penrith players' cohesion and ladder-leading form, will help steer the Blues to another series victory in 2022.

"The energy that the boys bring, it's great having the other boys here to get to experience this with as well and I think it'll help for sure," Crichton said.

Fittler is counting on them too, with form outweighing loyalty in his 2022 selections.

"If you look at everyone apart from two, they're all in the top-eight teams; we have six Penrith players, so a lot of this is about what they are doing on the field," he said.

"As a footy player, winning week in, week out makes such a difference."

Crichton has been named the utility's number 14 jersey for the series opener, in a surprise move by the coach, with many expecting him to own the left-centre role instead tasked to incumbent NSW representative Jack Wighton.

But last-minute changes and mind games are nothing new in the Origin arena, and both Wighton and Crichton have spent considerable time training in the centres at Blues training at Coogee this week.