Knights centre Bradman Best is focused on performing for Newcastle but hopeful strong club form can put him in the frame for an Origin debut.
The barnstorming 19-year-old was recently announced in Origin coach Brad Fittler's emerging Blues squad, having previously been coached by Fittler at NSW under-16s level.
"I've always got rep footy, not on my mind, but when you sit down and set goals, that's the pinnacle of footy and it's definitely a goal I want to achieve," Best told NRL.com.
"I had a bit to do with Brad Fittler growing up. He coached us in the 16s there and coming through the grades.
"Origin is definitely a goal and definitely something I want to achieve. I'll keep working hard and we'll see what happens."
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A strong start to the year will have Best, along with the likes of Zac Lomax and Campbell Graham, in the frame after non-specialist centre pairing Jack Wighton and Clint Gutherson put in mixed performances in the shock 2020 series loss.
"My main goal is I want to play good consistent footy here at Newcastle and hopefully that leads me to a sky blue jersey but we'll have to wait and see," Best added.
Putting himself in the Origin frame is just one of the goals the 19-year-old set for himself at the start of 2021.
"At the start of the year I always set goals, small ones first then bigger ones," Best said.
"Things like playing a full year, playing 20-plus games then bigger ones like making Origin. On and off the field too.
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"It's always good to set goals then at the end of the year or monthly I'll go back and check on them and see how I'm travelling."
Any ambitions of playing a full season in 2020 were scuppered by a syndesmosis injury ruling him out from rounds 13 to 19.
"Injuries are a part of the game. Last year it felt like I was playing well for a bit then another injury would set me back," he said.
"That's all right, that's footy, injuries are part of the game. The body feels good now, I'm in full training. I was in the speed stuff, they took the load out of that but full training and I can't wait."
After a breakout year in the 11 games he was able to put together, Best said while happy with his form at times there is still plenty to work on – particularly off the ball.
"Definitely looking back I thought there were some good games but always room for improvement," he said.
"I did the video with the coaches, there were areas I was good and definitely areas I can improve and that's what I'm looking to do this year.
"With the ball, without the ball. Defence is a big part of my game. I think I can be a bit better in defence. Definitely find a voice too in attack."