Shock NSW City Origin selection Adam Cuthbertson has coach, and fan, Brad Fittler to thank for his call-up for Friday's clash with Country.

Cuthbertson was more an astonishing inclusion than bolter when the City side was named on Sunday, even more so because the coach who banished him to park football at former club Cronulla, Ricky Stuart, is now overseeing the NSW set-up.

The St George Illawarra recruit has played just 122 minutes in four appearances for his new club this year, but Fittler used his licence to snare Cuthbertson for the Albury match.

"I've always liked him as a player," Fittler said.

"There's no doubt he went through a lazy stage or an unmotivated stage.

"You just have to look at the bloke to know he's done enough work to tell you that he's up for it.

"A lot of people actually questioned that but I've always been excited by watching Adam Cuthbertson, he's got that little bit of difference about him."

The 26-year-old, who was part of Manly's 2008 premiership-winning squad, admitted more than a little surprise at his call-up.

"It's just a great opportunity to have a real good crack and try to get a bit of a fairytale story to come off the back of last year," he said.

"It was a shock, definitely a good story and hopefully a happy ending.

"I pretty much used last year as a catalyst to get where I am now.

"I knew I had to do some growing up and had to lose some weight and really work on some areas I neglected in the last couple of years."

Cuthbertson said he had found it easy to become part of the Dragons' relentlessly tough pack.

"All the boys are just out to hold each other accountable," he said.

"No one wants to let anyone down.

"It's so easy just to fall into those good habits with them."

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