Having made a miraculous return to the field just three weeks after breaking his arm, Blayke Brailey knew he had one shot at winning back his Blues jersey for Game Three.
The Sharks have a bye in Round 17 so Sunday's clash with the Roosters was Brailey's Origin audition ahead of the NSW team being named next Monday.
In a head-to-head battle with Blues hooker Reece Robson, the Sharks No.9 played the full 80 minutes, made more tackles (48) and had more receipts of the ball (118), but the Roosters rake had the last laugh on the scoreboard (27-8).
Brailey made his Blues debut in Game One on May 17 but had the gloss taken off that moment just two days later when he suffered a broken right forearm against Manly, seemingly putting an end to his Origin series.
“As soon as I did it, I wrote down the Roosters game on the back of my door and every time I get home, or leave, I looked at that," he said.
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"That was the motivating factor.
“I don’t have the secret [to coming back early]. Just the program the medical staff set out for me ticked a lot of boxes pretty early.
“Watching the last two weeks and how the Sharks team played and went about their business inspired me to come back earlier.”
Cronulla enjoyed wins over the Dragons and Warriors in his absence so Brailey couldn't wait to rejoin his mates, even if it didn't all go to plan at Allianz Stadium.
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"I wouldn’t be in that Origin arena without the club and I love this jersey first and foremost as they’ve given me everything,” Brailey said.
“(Origin) was far enough down the track - I just love playing for the Sharks.
“I pulled up fine. I was confident throughout the week and our physios and medical staff did an outstanding job to get me playing.
“I obviously came through unscathed and I felt good out there. I had the pad there to protect it so all good.”
