Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic showed he is Origin quality at the opportune time on Saturday night.
In a dominant display, the Mona Vale Raiders junior ran for a game-high 243 metres in the 24-4 win over the Storm.
The towering youngster also outplayed Melbourne number one Billy Slater in what could have been a Holden State of Origin preview.
Trbojevic was delighted to snare a rare victory at AAMI Park.
"To come down to Melbourne and get a win is always tough," he said.
"And to do it without them scoring a try is good.
"That was the most pleasing thing from it."
The Sea Eagles have now registered two wins on the bounce to snap a five-game losing streak which could have derailed their finals ambitions.
"We need to win footy games to get back into the competition," Trbojevic said.
"Hopefully now we can get some momentum."
Former NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson re-joined the club during the week, marking his first appearance in maroon and white since 2010.
Trbojevic watched on with admiration as Hodkinson injected himself into the game in the second stanza.
"He's such a calm figure," he said.
"He's played at all levels, played Origin and has been such a good player for so long. To come back in - and he hasn't really played with anyone here before - to just slot in so well, it's a credit to him. He'll be great for us for the rest of the season."
The fullback also thinks hooker Api Koroisau is a likely candidate to make the Blues team ahead of game one on June 6.
"The way Api's playing, he's got to be a chance," Trbojevic said.
"He's playing 80 minutes for us in the middle and never puts a foot wrong in defence. The way he attacks and the deception he's got, he's been so good for us the last couple of years."
