According to a story doing the rounds from somewhere last week, a contributing factor in me getting over-looked was my "attitude" in camp during the build-up to last season's decider. The story is that I was a bit of a "sook".

That I came into camp for Origin lll and was sulking about not making the original squad and was only there because another player was forced to withdraw. And because of my supposedly poor attitude, I wasn't a good influence on the rest of the boys.

Now, if that sort of stuff was not just made up and actually came from someone inside the Blues camp, than all I can say is I can't control what someone thinks of me or how I act.

Me personally, I know I came in there with the right attitude and I trained hard like I always do.

I love playing footy and I had my head on and was ready for a big game so I honestly don't know if anyone had an issue with me.

Yeah, I was disappointed to miss out initially for game three after being forced out of game two with my wrist injury but when I got called up, I went into camp to train hard and do a job for the Blues. That was my only focus. To lead from the front for the Blues in the decider.

I'm over it now to be honest and that's all I'm going to say on it. The Blues will field a great team, I'm sure of that. Freddy [coach Brad Fittler] has come in as coach at a great time with so many quality players to chose from and there will be some unlucky blokes to miss out.

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At the same time, Queensland is struggling in that regard so I'm really confident whoever gets the nod will do a good job for NSW.

For me now, I'm having some time off with the family and just looking to get my body right and then when things kick off again, will be trying to do my absolute best for Newcastle.

Just four teams are left standing in the hunt for the premiership and any of the four on their day can win it.

I'm still leaning a little towards Melbourne to win it because of the experience in the side, provided Cameron Munster is fit and raring to go but they will be stretched to the limit this weekend by the Raiders.

Big Josh Papalii is a special player who will lead from the front and if he has another big game, the Raiders can win. He's the bloke the Storm has to stop.

As for the Penrith-Souths clash, I wonder whether the week off will turn out to be a good or bad thing for the young Panthers and the momentum they have had.

Souths are on this pointscoring wave and must be super confident about their chances of causing an upset.