Sharks five-eighth James Maloney says he'll leave no stone unturned for New South Wales if he is to be picked in Laurie Daley's Blues side next Monday.
Maloney featured in all three games of the 2013 Origin series alongside former Roosters halves partner Mitchell Pearce, with the duo currently favoured to be named for June 1's Origin I.
While he hopes to end his two-series Origin hiatus Maloney added he hasn't heard from Daley recently and also wasn't afforded an explanation as to why he wasn't picked in 2014.
"I don't think I needed an explanation. It was what it was. We didn't get the job done in 2013 so to think we had the right to the jersey the next year I think is the wrong sort of attitude," Maloney said.
"If I get another opportunity this year then I'd be stoked. You don't just want to have one crack and not win the series. I want to make sure, if I get selected, that we win the series and there will be a bit of hunger there to change the result."
"That would be an awesome thing to say you have been a part of. I don't know what's happening there though and we can only wait and see. I've done what I can to put my hat in the ring."
One man who would like to see Maloney – and in fact as many of his Sharks teammates as possible – selected for Origin is Chad Townsend.
With the likes of Maloney, skipper Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Jack Bird, Michael Ennis and Luke Lewis all in Origin reckoning, it will offer Townsend a huge opportunity to show he is up to the task without the aforementioned players by his side.
"I hope we lose a lot of players for Origin to be honest. It's just a great reward for the football they have been playing. I know we have a great bit of depth here at the club and whoever comes in I'm sure will do a job," Townsend said.
"Through that period if we do lose those senior guys then it's up to myself to step up my seniority and make sure the other boys stick to the areas that helped us get to the position we are currently are in."
Turning his attention back to the Sharks following their 62-0 shellacking of the Knights last Sunday, Maloney refused to get carried away with the result.
While it was the equal-biggest winning margin in the club's history and their seventh-straight win, Maloney was of the impression that there are plenty of brighter days to come this season.
"I still think there's improvement in us. I wouldn't put it anywhere near our best performance but it was pleasing to hold them scoreless and to not lose our way," he said.
"It was good we were able to stay on the job and continue to put points on. It's nice to know we can do that.
"It was a bit of a focus for us because 'Flanno' (coach Shane Flanagan) and 'Gal' (Gallen) have told me they have been in sides previously where they have risen up against tough opposition but then struggle against sides they should have beat."
This article first appeared on NRL.com
