South Sydney's newest recruit Michael Crocker said he is fit and ready for Queensland State of Origin selection after playing 70 minutes of his new side's 23-22 NRL victory over Wests Tigers on Sunday.

Crocker, who was playing his first game since last year's grand final for Melbourne against Manly after his move to the English Super League was curtailed due to visa issues, played a key role in Souths win and said there was no doubts over his fitness.

"I felt good I was feeling it a bit early, but once I got used to it I was fine," said Crocker.

"I kept training with the boys in Melbourne to stay fit and I was riding my bike to keep my legs fresh and my lungs working."

The former Sydney Roosters lock has been an integral part of the Maroons' set-up since 2003 and wants to be back for this year's series.

"Origin is in the back of my mind but I am concentrating on our next game but my fitness is fine and I would be ready to play if selected," he said.

Having waited 224 days to play again after two applications to play in England for Hull were rejected by the British government due a conviction for affray, Crocker said it had been a frustrating time.

"It's been a long wait, I was training most weeks thinking I was going to play at the weekend but it was all good early in the week, but by the time I had got to the end of the week it was tough," he said.

Souths coach Jason Taylor was pleased with Crocker's contribution and said his experience was a key factor in helping Souths get over the line for the win.

"He has got an amazing capacity and really gets through the work," said Taylor.

"He has a bit of presence out there and his communication late in the game when the game was tight, his experience was telling ... I sent him back on not because I thought he would score a 50-metre try but because I knew he would rub off on everyone else."

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