Tim Grant says helping Penrith into the NRL finals would help put the pain of his State of Origin snubbing firmly behind him.
Grant looked set for a long career in the NSW front-row after impressing in the 2012 series, but a loss of form and injury denied him the opportunity to play a part this year.
The 25-year-old started this season slowly and was dumped to the bench by Panthers coach Ivan Cleary in rounds four and five as he struggled to fire.
The situation didn't go unnoticed by Blues coach Laurie Daley who left him out of his squad for game one in favour of Andrew Fifita.
Grant's Origin hopes were also hindered by a broken hand sustained against St George Illawarra in round 10, giving him little chance to stake a claim for game two when James Tamou was suspended.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Daley opted for Wests Tigers youngster Aaron Woods and Grant admits it was difficult to watch the games having been involved just 12 months earlier.
"Watching the boys lose was hard as you feel helpless sat there in your lounge room," Grant told AAP.
"The injury probably did come at a bad time, but I was fit and playing before game three and my form was good and Laurie chose to look elsewhere so I don't think it made that much difference.
"But Origin is behind me and getting to the finals is all I am focusing on now."
Sunday's visit to Cronulla will be a case of friends reunited for the Panthers with former teammates Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Michael Gordon all named in the Sharks line-up.
It will be the first time Lewis and Gordon have faced Penrith since their departures at the end of last season and Grant admits it will be strange playing against them.
"It was sad to see them leave as they are great players," he said.
"But we have gone a lot better than many people thought we would this year. We were tipped for the wooden spoon but that never bothered us.
"We knew we had some good players who would emerge this year. But talking about it is one thing, we need to win this game and get into the finals."
