Gold Coast winger Anthony Don may soon enjoy more than cult hero status after another star turn in the Titans' upset 38-36 NRL win over leaders Melbourne prompted calls for his NSW Origin selection.
Don added another clip to his growing season highlights reel when he capped a stellar display in Brisbane on Saturday night by sparking Konrad Hurrell's 78th minute match-winning try in the season's biggest upset.
Titans halfback Ashley Taylor was quick to suggest Don should be considered as a Blues bolter in a post-match TV interview, prompting a social media push for NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley to consider the popular winger.
Daley is no closer to finalising his NSW backline after Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic suffered a potentially season-ending knee and ankle injuries in Saturday night's 24-14 defeat in Brisbane.
Incumbent Blues winger Josh Mansour is sidelined with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old Don did his best to impress, scoring a try and setting up another two.
Don flew over Melbourne's Josh Addo-Carr to bat back a Kane Elgey kick for centre Hurrell to crash over for the game sealer.
He finished the game with two try assists, a four pointer of his own and a line break.
Titans coach Neil Henry said Don had returned from last week's NSW Country duty full of confidence.
Don scored a try, had a line break and ran 198m in Country's 20-10 loss to NSW City.
"He seems to be cool under a bit of pressure and the boys love playing with him," Henry said of Don.
The buzz over Don gained momentum in round seven against Brisbane when he freakishly volleyed a ball heading toward the touchline into the arms of Chris Grevsmuhl who scored.
There was more to come against Melbourne when Don scored a sensational leaping try down the sideline in the 37th minute before his late heroics.
The audacious plays don't come as a shock to Don's teammates.
"He is a competitor, he competes on every play," prop Jarrod Wallace said.
Besides Trbojevic, Jarryd Hayne also provided Daley some anxious moments after the Titans star limped off late.
Hayne was later diagnosed with knee nerve damage and is expected to be fit for the next round.
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