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Cameron McInnes believes another year as an 80-minute player alongside two representative halves at St George Illawarra can put him back in the Origin debate.
Cameron McInnes says he's ready to be a part of the serious conversation around the NSW State of Origin hooking role.
The 24-year-old was a revelation at St George Illawarra in 2017, becoming an 80-minute player as they climbed to the top of the ladder early in the year before a late-season fade out.
It led to him being selected for City's Origin squad last year, before Laurie Daley opted to give the No.9 jumper to Nathan Peats ahead of Robbie Farah when Peter Wallace was injured.
But McInnes said a second season as an 80-minute player and now alongside the all-representative halves pairing of Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt meant he could play a bigger part in the debate if he played at his best.
"I feel like I've got a lot fitter this pre-season," he told AAP.
"Certain times last season there might have been something on but I was just gassed from making tackles. This year I'm looking forward to being able to push myself further.
"I have no doubt, if we play the way we're capable of as a Dragons squad, that's when you get individual success when the team is going well.
"If I'm doing my job right and playing good footy my name might be tossed up again."
Last year's transition to the Dragons from childhood club South Sydney reaped immediate rewards for McInnes.
He set up six tries and had seven line-break assists, categories in which he failed to trouble the statisticians in his final two years at the Rabbitohs.
The brief flirtation with Origin selection conversation served as a validation of his own skills.
"It was almost like I know I have the ability, so it was more comforting for me that I'm putting out on the park what I know I can produce," McInnes said.
"As a footballer if you're doing your best and you're not good enough then it is what it is.
"But if you know you're a much better player than what you're producing on the park then that's very frustrating."
McInnes already has a big year ahead of him, with he and fiancee Rachel expecting their first baby boy in May.
He will also have the chance to gel with Hunt and Widdop in what he claims is the best halves combination in the NRL.
"If I make the wrong decision and go the wrong way I'm still giving it to an international," he said.
"Hunty is so sharp and is a great runner of the football which is great. I know I can give him the ball and make things happen.
"I can play off the back of that too when he gets quick ones."