DRAGONS hooker Cam McInnes is a self-confessed footy head – and it's not just the tooth missing from his gums.
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Most seasons, when the 24-year-old isn't playing footy, he's watching it. This season, however, he's given it a miss. Even so, he hasn't been immune to the State of Origin selection talk that's followed him, and his side, since preseason.
There's simply avoiding ahead of Saturday's clash with Penrith at Panthers Stadium, a one v two clash that will feature no less than 12 Origin hopefuls just 48 hours before Brad Fittler names his Blues side for game one.
McInnes remains locked in a battle with Damien Cook for the NSW No. 9 but insists that won't be on his mind when he runs out in front of the Panthers faithful.
“Even though I'm not on social media and things like that, it's impossible not to hear [Origin speculation],” McInnes said.
“That's the just the reality of it. If you want to bury your head in the sand, that's naive, so it's not about burying my head in the sand, it's just about keeping my focus narrow.
“It's an approach I've taken this year for me keeping my head clear. I love footy and sometimes [in the past] I've found myself watching every game, but for me, I look forward to coming to training every day and playing every week with the way I'm approaching things right now.
“I haven't watched a great deal of footy this year, other than my own games and the teams I'm up against, so I couldn't really tell you how other players have been going every week.
“I don't know how I sit, I don't know what the selectors are thinking. I just know I owe it to the boys, the club and the fans to focus on how I'm playing for the Dragons. If we play well as a team, and if I play well individually, those things can happen.”
While Ben Hunt and Tyson Frizell are all but assured of selection, Saturday will be the final chance for the club's other hopefuls to push their claims for a maiden Blues jumper.
McInnes puts the number of contenders down to the team first mentality driving the 9-2 start to the season that's set up Saturday's top of the table clash.
“There's a lot of talk around [Origin] and we'd all be lying if we said we don't want to play,” McInnes said.
“We all want to play, of course we do, but I think the reason we've been going so well is guys are putting their egos aside and doing what's best for the team, not what's best for them to make Origin.
“The funny thing is, when you do that, that's probably when you get picked. On Sunday or Monday, I'd be so happy for the boys if a few of their names are in there. As long as we keep playing well for each other, those good things will happen.”
Whether he gets the nod or not, McInnes is confident his side's NRL campaign won't be derailed by a demanding rep season.
“I can understand why there's a bit of thought like that,” McInnes said.
"Last year we did struggle through that period but I think, with the approach we're taking as a team, I'm very confident it's not going to affect us.
"To me it's just an excuse anyway. All 16 teams are going to be affected to some degree whether it be Origin, the Internationals coming up, injuries, that's just the nature of it.
“That's why the best team is there in October, because they're able to withstand all those things.”