Cronulla five-eighth Todd Carney has revealed his anguish at being snubbed by NSW – with Sharks coach Shane Flanagan believing it contributed to the star playmaker’s drop in form.

Carney was the man on whom all NSW hopes were pinned heading into last year’s State of Origin decider, but he is resigned to being a spectator for this year’s finale – as he was for the opening two games.

Overlooked in favour of Sydney Roosters pivot James Maloney, Carney believes he’s playing as well as he was in 2012, and still hopes to pull on the sky blue again one day.

“I knew once it was stated in the paper what the team was going to be, I got my head around it quite early, I couldn’t dwell on it,” Carney told AAP of of his snubbing.

“It’s always tough but hopefully I get an opportunity back there next year.”

Flanagan believes the rebuff took its toll on the Sharks pivot.

“Todd was playing really good prior to Origin I,” Flanagan said.

“I know it was one of his goals to play Origin again this year.

“Once game two came on, the realisation that he might have missed this year’s series might have set in.

“I haven’t spoken to him about it but it seems natural for me that he would be feeling `Geez, I’ve missed this series now’.

“It’s only human to be disappointed and when you are disappointed sometimes it can affect your performance.”

Carney said he would be the first to admit his performance against North Queensland on Sunday wasn’t up to scratch.

But Flanagan said he was confident the one-time Test representative would be back to his best against old foe Benji Marshall in Friday night’s Sharks Stadium clash.

Marshall himself has struggled for his best form in 2013 but has shown signs of getting back to his best in recent weeks.