But in his own mind, the 23-year-old frontrower says what he delivers at club level for Newcastle from now until the end of the season will define his year rather than anything he has already achieved.

In this typically upfront interview with League HQ, Saifiti talks about Origin, what went wrong against the Bulldogs, the challenge that is the Sydney Roosters and why his re-signing is close.

"IT was crazy. It came heaps quick and went heaps quick as well. To be honest, I haven't really had the time to sit down and process it all. It was like a whirlwind.

"Even after the last game when we won and clinched the series, we had a moment in the sheds with the boys and that was pretty cool but after that, everyone went back to the hotel and we couldn't really enjoy it. So I haven't really thought too much about what's just happened.

"I loved the games. The intensity was great as were the boys and Freddy [coach Brad Fittler]. But if I'm brutally honest, I struggled to get my head around the other stuff. I just wanted to play footy but there was the promotional stuff and all the media which I know is the nature of the beast and part of it all but I wasn't used to it. So I struggled with it a bit."

"WE were that bad, it was hard to find a positive. Even during the game, I thought their forwards were running harder than us, their outside backs were so good and our line speed was just average. We haven't played that bad since the Gold Coast.

"If we had have played like that against a top four club, they would have flogged us.

"We didn't disrespect the Bulldogs but subconsciously, I think there was probably a feeling that if we just got through the game and played alright, we would win. But we were way less than alright. Overall it was embarrassing.

"It was a good lesson for us but probably a lesson we didn't need because we are at that point now where we still want to make the top four and that loss just makes it a little bit harder.

"I felt like no-one really stood up for us and me personally, I felt like I was a bit of a passenger who was guilty of thinking it was going to just happen for us. It was nowhere near good enough given the standards we have set ourselves this season."

READ MORE: Newcastle Knights

"IF we don't have the right attitude, it could be a cricket score. They were missing some players the last time we met and obviously the score we put on them, they are going to be out to get us. Their roster, when they play at 100 percent, is the best in the comp but I feel like on a given day, if we play to our very best, we can match it with anyone too.

"We have to take the lessons away from last week otherwise we are in trouble. This week, we have close to our full side back, there are no more distractions with Origin and that's a good thing. We won't have any excuses if we don't aim up."

"PEARCEY was talking to me in Origin camp about how much the club means to him and saying if he didn't come here to Newcastle, he probably wouldn't be back playing at that level. Hearing him talk like that and talking to Klem just about every day and how passionate he is, it's pretty special. We are such a tight group here with a big opportunity to do something special."

"I FEEL like my first three years here at the club, I never started a season good but this year, I did. But I'm confident I can go to another level after Origin. It's given me confidence and the other thing is I've got better players around me at club level than I've had in the past so that's got to help as well. My expectations and standards are higher now so I have to make sure I consistently reach them. It will feel like a wasted season in some ways if I don't finish strong."

"THE club has sent something through to my manager but it's been on hold during Origin. I haven't seen it yet but I know they want to keep me heaps and I want to stay here heaps so there has been no rush. It's a matter of finding a bit of common ground.

"I'll be signing soon."