A dominant 144 metres in attack, 24 tackles made, and the oddest try assist you’ll see this NRL season.

Josh Papalii staked his claim for a maiden Queensland State of Origin jumper on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old back-rower was instrumental in Canberra’s 24-12 win over Penrith, his assertive running and stinging defence a step up from last week’s mixed performance against Brisbane.

Papalii admitted the announcement of the Maroons side on Monday had been in the back of his mind.

“I was just doing all I can for the Raiders and see where it takes me,” he said.

“I’m happy if I get the call up, if not I’ll still be happy.”

Papalii’s 37th minute inadvertent try assist will likely be awarded the prize for falcon of the year.

Papalii was running a short ball off halfback Josh McCrone when the pass struck him directly on the forehead.

The ball bounced forward and a quick-thinking McCrone pounced on it to score and give the Raiders an 18-6 lead.

While the try was pure dumb luck, Papalii’s involvement in it in the first place can be put down to a desire to be involved in more ball carries.

“Talking to (David Furner) and the coaching staff, we looked at my carries last week and it wasn’t up to standard,” he said.

“I was just trying to do extra carries. Trying to do the tough runs that the boys want me to do.”

There is a belief that Papalii’s ability to contain NSW skipper Paul Gallen, who he marked well during the NRL finals last year, may earn him the nod for Origin II on Wednesday week.

While his hard-hitting defence is already top notch, Papalii said he was able to improve it further during his time at the Maroons camp two weeks ago.

“I was under the wing a bit,” he said.

“Ben Te’o and Sam Thaiday were just teaching me a few tips on players, how to read the defence more and how to defend better.”