He's slipped down the pecking order, but Adam Reynolds hasn't given up hope of earning a State of Origin recall and will rarely get a better chance to showcase his credentials than on Sunday in Perth.
South Sydney halfback Reynolds will square off with Melbourne's Queensland and Test star Cooper Cronk when the Rabbitohs head west trying to conquer their NRL nemesis team.
Four wins from 26 clashes with the Storm is the Rabbitohs' worst record against any opposition in more than a century of premiership rugby league.
But Reynolds certainly can't be blamed for last year's 15-14 golden-point heartbreaker after out-pointing Cronk in their head-to-head duel.
With two try assists to Cronk's none, despite making twice as many tackles than the Melbourne superstar, and a flawless night with the boot, Reynolds did everything but win the game for Souths.
But in an up-and-down start to 2017 that has mirrored the Rabbitohs', Reynolds knows he'll need to deliver another big performance to convince NSW coach Laurie Daley he's still up to Origin standard.
After finally earning a shot last year, Reynolds missed Origin III with a shoulder injury, opening the door for James Maloney, who appears set to partner Mitchell Pearce in the 2017 series opener in Brisbane on May 31.
"It's a long way away, 12 months ago. (My form) could be better, to be honest with you," Reynolds said.
"But, in saying that, I think my form's been okay the past couple of weeks.
"I'm not too worried about the Origin. If it happens, it happens.
"If not, I'll continue to work on my game to get better and it's a three-game series and I'll be doing my best week in, week out for Souths and if that warrants a selection, I'd be more than happy to put my hand up and put that jersey on again."
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