De Belin to continue pushing Origin case

The Dragons hardman has been a regular in emerging Blues camps in recent seasons and, on the back of his impressive start to 2017, was called into NSW camp ahead of game one last week.

The Blues emphatic win at Suncorp Stadium means changes for game two would only come about through injury, but de Belin is confident he’s ready to step up if called upon.

“It is good knowing I’m right there and hopefully before too long I can get a crack,” de Belin said.

“In the unfortunate circumstance of an injury or suspension, I’m definitely ready to step up and play and slot straight in.”

De Belin described being part of the build-up right up until that final knock on the door come game-time as a “different” experience, but one that will have long-term benefits at club and rep level.

“Camp was definitely a great experience. I knew pretty early on I wasn’t playing so for me it was a pretty relaxed week,” de Belin said.

“It was just good to get around the boys and learn all the structures and plays and everything that goes into an Origin camp.

“[As 18^th man] There’s not much pressure on you but you just feel it for the other boys because it’s such a big arena.

“There’s so much riding on it, you’re playing for your state and obviously over the past decade we haven’t been that great but we’re really pushing that it’s our time now.”

It’s the same path Dragons teammate Tyson Frizell trod before stamping himself on the Origin arena last season in line with coach Laurie Daley’s policy of rewarding strong form over a long period of time. 

“I feel I’ve played pretty consistent, steady footy for a fair while now,” de Belin.

“My bad games haven’t dipped too far from my good games so it’s good to see they’re rewarding form and if you play well at club level you’re going to be rewarded.”

De Belin will get another chance to press his claims when the Dragons take on a Bulldogs side that will feature NSW incumbent forwards David Klemmer and Josh Jackson on Monday.

Having edged out the struggling Wests Tigers 16-12 in a dour affair last Saturday, de Belin said his side will be looking for a return to the standards they’ve set in strong start to the season.

“[The Tigers match] was a strange old game, probably one of the worst we’ve played all year to be honest,” de Belin said.

“There was a bit of a sombre mood in the sheds afterwards, it almost felt like we lost because it just went against the standards we’ve set here.

“In years’ gone by we might have just been happy enough to get the two points but it’s different this year. We’re pretty disappointed with the performance we put up.

“We didn’t play as a team, we played as individuals and it was pretty evident.”

The Dragons will be at full strength for the clash after scans on Monday cleared Frizell of any serious injury to his ribs.

Joel Thompson is also free to play after taking the early guilty plea and copping a fine for a tripping charge arising out of the victory over the Tigers. Both were named in an unchanged line-up on Tuesday.