Matt Moylan has boldly declared himself ready to step up to State of Origin after decimating the Gold Coast 40-0 at Bathurst on Saturday.
The calls for NSW coach Laurie Daley to hand the 23-year-old the Blues No.1 jumper are growing even louder after he led the Panthers to a convincing win at Carrington Park.
Not only did he come up with three try assists and two line breaks, he eased the pressure on halves Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace by taking on playmaking duties at key times.
He received a taste of representative football last year when he was selected for NSW City.
He was also earned a berth in the Australian Four Nations squad at the end of the season, but failed to earn a start.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary revealed the experience of getting a sniff of a green and gold jersey but ultimately missing out was driving Moylan’s strong start to the 2015 season.
Asked point blank if he was ready for Origin, Moylan was frank.
“I feel ready for it,” he said.
“But I’ve just got to worry about playing consistent footy for Penrith and the rest of it will take care of itself.”
During the off-season Moylan visited Dubbo in Central NSW on a NSWRL trip with Daley during which time he picked the brain of the Blues mentor on what he had to do to earn an Origin call-up.
Moylan said being a part of the Four Nations squad had inspired him and he was determined to ascend to the Australian ranks.
“I want to get back there, I want to get a game, I was obviously disappointed but I appreciated the time I had in (Australian) camp,” he said.
Panthers captain and former Blues half Wallace backed his fullback’s Origin credentials.
“I think (Moylan is ready for Origin), every challenge that’s been put in front of him, he’s handled,” Wallace said.
“In City-Country he was great last year and I think he’ll step up for sure.”