The knives may be out for Tim Glasby ahead of his Queensland debut in Wednesday night's State of Origin II in Sydney.
But it is nothing compared to Glasby's own assessment of his career just five years ago.
Glsby was juggling a fulltime job as a financial planner while captaining Queensland Cup side Central Capras in his hometown of Rockhampton.
"I thought it (league career) was over to be honest," Glasby said.
"I loved that sort of life and loved what I was doing at the Capras, it was good fun but I just always had the attitude that I wanted to play at the highest level that I could."
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When all hope appeared lost, Glasby received a phone call from the Melbourne Storm.
Still, Glasby wasn't entirely convinced an NRL career would work out.
"I had a great job back at Rocky and I hoped that if it (NRL) didn't work out I could go back to it - I think they would have taken me back," Glasby laughed.
Under Storm coach Craig Bellamy, Glasby not only became an NRL player, he became a Maroon.
"I wouldn't be here without him," Glasby said of Bellamy.
"When I went to the Storm five years ago I didn't really have any huge expectations. I was just going there to work hard but I think that's what Craig likes.
"Persistency got me there more than anything."
Still, nothing could prepare Glasby for the phone call from Maroons selectors.
"I have been happy with my form the last two seasons but I don't know if I stand out with all those great players in Melbourne but I try to be consistent," Glasby said.
"When I was in the Emerging Maroons the last couple of years I hoped the call might come eventually. I can't say I expected it, but I was pleasantly surprised."
Glasby had been dismissed as a "NRL Nobody" by NSW media after his surprise Maroons call-up and was lambasted by a News Corp article on Tuesday which produced a scathing analysis of his club performances for the Storm.
The hard-working prop says it was a media backlash he never expected but isn't dwelling on it.
"I have heard something about it but it doesn't really worry me to be honest," he said.
"It's not about stats. They tell a bit of a story but there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.
"I get told to do a job each week at Melbourne and I do it - I am sure Queensland will give me a job to do next week."
