Dragons 2018: Straight talking de Belin makes Blues pitch

‘One week at a time’, ‘if the opportunity were to come up’, ‘that’s not my focus, my focus is on playing good footy each week’ and so on and so forth.

Dragons forward Jack de Belin isn’t most players and, in an increasingly vanilla media landscape, it’s nothing short of refreshing.

“Every time I get asked the question I always say the same thing, I want to play Origin and I reckon I’m made for it,” de Belin said.

“For a few years now I’ve had the confidence where I believe I’m one of the best at what I do.

“I think the way I play, and what I do, would translate perfectly to the Origin arena.

“I’ve been saying that for a fair while now and I think, to start this year, I’ve taken my game to another level.

“The fact the question gets asked a lot… hopefully it means I’m in the discussion and that I can get a start this year.”

Now 27, the two-time Country representative has been part of Emerging Blues camps in recent seasons and was 19th man during last year’s series loss under Laurie Daley.

It’s a long time on the fringes but de Belin says Brad Fittler’s ascension to the role has left the door open for those who’ve been knocking on it for some time.

“It’s hard sometimes when you’re not getting the raps you think you deserve, or you see other people in similar positions getting pumped up in the media when you play against them every week and you know it’s not warranted,” he said.

“A lot of it’s out of your control, at the end of the day you can’t control that. All you can do is play good footy and hope everything else takes care of itself.

“I know this is the year now where, if I want to be playing Origin, I have to put my hand up and show what I’m about.”

It’s surely music to ears of new NSW coach Brad Fittler as he looks to usher in a new era for the Blues, particularly given de Belin is making his loudest pitch for selection on the paddock.

“I’m trying to play with a bit more aggression and a bit more mongrel,” de Belin said.

“I’ve been around a long time now and it obviously takes a middle forward a while to really find their bearings.

“I know my game inside out now, what my strengths are and what aspects of the game are more suited to me.

“I don’t have to go into games worrying about too much. I can just go out and play a little bit ad-lib and free-flowing, the way I like to play.”