Incumbent winger Corey Oates says he feels like he has to audition for his own Queensland spot after Billy Slater's successful NRL return.
But the Brisbane flyer said he was finally in the right headspace to deal with the State of Origin hype.
Oates made his Origin debut last season, playing all three games as Queensland won their 10th series in 11 years.
However, Oates was not taking anything for granted following Slater's return from a 12-month shoulder injury.
The veteran Melbourne No.1 has made an impressive comeback and is expected to be welcomed back by Queensland in a new-look back line for May 31's series opener.
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Slater is tipped to either reclaim his No.1 jersey or be slotted onto the wing.
"I am trying to improve each week with guys like Slater coming back," Oates said.
"I feel like it is an audition for the spot.
"I just have to play my style of footy."
Oates gets another chance to impress Maroons selectors in Brisbane's NRL clash with Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old said a year ago he probably would have struggled with the Origin hype.
"I am feeling a lot better than previous years, normally I would have a bit of head noise at this time of year," he said.
"But I have changed my lifestyle and am starting to enjoy my footy a lot more, getting away from the game when I can and just enjoy myself.
"I love my fishing and golf. That gets me away from all the Origin hype.
"I am in a pretty good headspace."
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett believes Oates has nothing to prove to Maroons selectors.
"He's an incumbent Origin player. I don't think anyone is going to leave him out," he said.
"None of them carry the ball like he does.
"They all bring different things but they don't bring what he does."
