Paul Vaughan is close to securing his long-term future with St George Illawarra, and is now eying a big fortnight with the Dragons to claim a spot in the NSW Origin team.
And that begins in a bruising NRL match up-with representative powerhouse Andrew Fifita against Cronulla on Friday night.
It's understood Vaughan has agreed to a two-year contract extension at the Dragons, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2021.
It's a far cry from the front row of Mounties in reserve grade, where he spent most of the back end of last season after being dropped by junior club Canberra.
"Last year was a tough year for me," Vaughan told AAP.
"It halted my progression as a football player.
"It was very frustrating. I didn't think my form was bad at all.
"But everything worked out positively and for the best for me and my career. I couldn't be happier to re-sign with the Saints, which is great."
Vaughan has been one of the Dragons' best this season, as they have made their forward pack the focal part of the team's attack.
He is running 137m per match and providing impact with 21 tackle busts - almost as many as he did in 2016.
It's led to Vaughan being rated a Blues bolter following Aaron Woods' hamstring injury.
He did his chances no harm when he was Country's best forward in their 20-10 loss to City on Sunday.
Vaughan has tried to avoid speculation about his possible selection, but admits he went into the match knowing it was a real chance to impress selectors.
"At the end of the day it's a rep game," Vaughan said.
"And you want to play to the best of your ability.
"I have to go back to club football and keep playing at a high level. If it happens, it happens.
"If not I'm still going to strive to be the best rugby league player I can be."
His next big chance to impress comes against incumbent NSW and Australian prop Fifita.
The match will be his second-last game before sides are selected for the May 31 Origin series opener.
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