At least that’s the impression you get when you ask the 28-year-old about his recent penchant for turning games into an 80-minute nightmare for opposing halfbacks.

“It’s not [my job] to hunt halfbacks, it’s to apply pressure to halfbacks in a legal manner,” he said with a grin when asked if he goes out to target the No. 7s.

He did it so successfully against Cooper Cronk in his side’s win over the Roosters last week, Blues coach Brad Fittler tossed him up a potential fix for Dragons teammate Ben Hunt at Origin level.

His effort on Cronk did his NSW selection chances no harm but - while he makes no apologies for his aggression – Sims stressed it’s never his intention to harm his rivals. 

“It’s a game of rugby league, it’s a physical game,” Sims said.

“It’s no secret I’ve been in trouble with the judiciary before so I’ve had to adapt my game.

“It’s a contact sport so you’d be crazy not to think some tackles might get away from you but I definitely don’t go out there to hurt or injure anyone.

“If I’m called upon to do a [similar] job, I’ll do it. If [NSW] want someone that’s not going to take a backward step with a bit of attitude and a bit of starch in defence, I’m your guy.”

It’s not just his ability to pressure halves that’s thrust Sims into Origin contention, with the Gerringong product providing just as many headaches with ball in hand. 

It’s seen the odds on a long-awaited Origin debut shorten dramatically but, having suffered his fair share of setbacks throughout his career, he’s not counting his chickens.

“There’s still a long time until a team’s picked for NSW,” Sims said.

“Obviously I want to be involved in it but a lot can change in one week.

“I could play really good football and put myself in a better position, or I can play terrible football and get spat out the back door.

“I’ve broken my leg twice, had shoulder surgery, wrist surgery, I’ve done my time on the sideline so I’m under no illusions.

“[In] tomorrow’s training session I could go out and hurt myself and my career could be in jeopardy so I just take it day by day.”

The Dragons win over the Roosters sets up a monster showdown with Melbourne on Sunday, with the Storm coming off an equally impressive Anzac Day thrashing of the Warriors.

Both sides will be coming in off an 11-day turnaround and Sims said his side will be primed for the clash after being give a four-day spell by coach Paul McGregor.

“Mary gave us a few days off to get away and unwind from footy for a while because the Anzac Day game is such and emotional and physical game,” Sims said.

“You can’t stay on that adrenaline cloud for an 11-day turnaround, it’s just unrealistic. 

“We all had to take two seconds and get away and unwind a bit from footy but we’re right back into it.

“Melbourne have been the benchmark for so many years and, going on their last two performances, they’re definitely building into the Storm that we all know and expect week in week out.

“They compete for every scrap and we’re under no illusions, they’re coming here to pick a fight. We’ve got to be up to the challenge.”