Luke Keary claimed an NRL premiership and the Clive Churchill Medal last time he turned out against Melbourne.
Come Friday night's grand final rematch, he could almost put one hand on his maiden NSW State of Origin jersey if he makes a statement and outguns opposite number Cameron Munster.
Keary and Munster have been the two form players of the competition over the opening month.
Munster leads the Dally M count. So dominant has the five-eighth been at the Storm, he's claimed 11 of a possible 15 points available to him.
On the other side Keary's competition-high 10 try-assists only tell half the story.
He's thrived in taking charge when Cooper Cronk has been out and is known for stepping up in big games - last year's decider is proof of that on both fronts.
"I think the way they play is integral to the teams. It's going to be an important contest as well as many others," Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson said of Keary and Munster.
Regular season games won't get much bigger for Keary.
Munster was the man originally selected for Kangaroos No.6 jersey at the end of last year before his withdrawal gave Keary his international debut.
The pair will barely come face to face at AAMI Park - they largely play on opposite sides.
But given the Storm and Roosters both rank in the top three for tries scored this year, how effective the pair can be against big opposition packs will be crucial.
"It will be good to play him," a coy Keary said when quizzed earlier this week.
"They test you and they are the benchmark. They have been for the past decade."
"Especially in Melbourne, it's hard to go there and get the win."
Keary has spent the past week avoiding Origin speculation but even James Maloney admitted there was "a fair case" for the 27-year-old to take his No.6 Blues jersey based on current form.
The Storm are also acutely aware of how dangerous he can be.
His left-edge combination with Blues stars Boyd Cordner and Latrell Mitchell along with James Tedesco's impact from the back have the Roosters firing.
"Everyone knows what a great team they are," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.
"They've got guys like Keary playing the best footy of his career and Tedesco is nearly the best player in the game."
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