Queensland's Billy Slater might face some strong contenders for the Test fullback's position but he says he's not taking much notice of how NSW custodian Jarryd Hayne is performing.
Slater, scoring two tries and setting up two others in Melbourne's 46-20 NRL win over Hayne's Parramatta at AAMI Park on Monday night, says he prefers to look within.
Coming off Queensland's State of Origin series defeat, Slater said his performance against the Eels was possibly his best display of the year.
"It's up there. Everyone played really well and that in turn helped me perform well," Slater told reporters on Friday.
"You're in a dog fight all the time, whether it's with your club, State Of Origin or Test.
"Everyone seems to be playing well so you've always got to play well.
"I always look at how I'm going, not so much on how everyone else is going.
"I try to assess myself against my standards and where I see I need to be.
"I'm happy to get back on the field and play a couple of good games, that's for sure."
The seventh-placed Storm face 13th-placed St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Monday night as the Dragons seek some payback for the Storm's controversial 28-24 win at AAMI Park on April 14.
The Storm relied on a try after the siren to pip the Dragons.
Referees' boss Tony Archer later admitted the play-the-ball by the Storm's Young Tonumaipea and the siren occurred almost simultaneously, which meant fulltime should have been called.
It's a re-match the Dragons have been circling on their calendars but Slater says it won't be a massive factor for the home side.
"I don't think that motivation will come into their game plan," Slater said.
"We've had a few tough calls ourselves. That's just the way footy goes."
Slater said the Dragons were a dangerous combination, especially with the addition of code-hopping Kiwi halfback Benji Marshall.
"Whenever you face a team with Benji Marshall in their side ... it's a challenge," Slater said.
