Manly fullback Brett Stewart declared himself ready for State of Origin after starring in the Sea Eagles gallant come from behind 13-10 NRL victory over New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.
Stewart took his remarkable tally of tries at Brookvale Oval to 31 from 31 games to put the Eagles ahead in the 59th minute after having two first half crossings disallowed.
It was the first time Manly had taken the lead despite dominating possession with Michael Monaghan's 72nd minute field goal sealing the Sea Eagles first win at home over the Warriors since 1996.
It was also the club's fourth successive win to start the year, their best start since 1997, and keeps Manly equal with Melbourne and North Queensland at the top of the ladder.
Stewart, 22, said he was ready to step up for NSW in 2007 with incumbent Brett Hodgson (Wests Tigers) and former custodian Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters) both battling away in club's yet to win this season.
"I think I could handle it. It's obviously been a goal of mine and probably every player when a young bloke begins. I think I would be up to it," said Stewart.
"The way we are going at the moment I suppose it is going to help anyone's chances on the brink.
"I just want to be playing firstly good for the club.
"I don't really want to be thinking about it. My first goal is to make (NSW) Country."
Stewart was unlucky not to pick up a fistful of tries on Sunday.
His first effort in the 11th minute was disallowed for double movement. He crossed again in the 28th only to have the play called back for obstruction, with a blindside solo run ending inches short just prior to halftime.
The Warriors led 6-0 at the break after former Eagle Michael Witt's cross-field bomb bounced into Tony Martin's hands in the 14th minute.
Manly skipper Brent Kite was held up and then stripped of the ball over the line also in the first half, while winger Michael Robertson had a 42nd minute effort dismissed because he pushed opposite Michael Crockett out of the contest.
Manly eventually opened their account when quick hands by Stewart put winger Chris Hicks over in the corner on 55 minutes.
The speedy fullback then put the home side ahead four minutes later when he dummied through the line to score untouched.
The result proved Manly have matured since last year's limp finals showing, winning without experienced trio Matt Orford, Steve Menzies and Steve Matai for the third straight week.
"We came in (halftime) at 6-nil and thought we maybe should have been behind a little bit more than we were," said Stewart.
"To go out in the second half and grind a win out is something we haven't been able to do in the last couple of years so that says something about the confidence in the team at the moment."
Backrower Simon Mannering scored a 78th minute try to give the Warriors a sniff of stealing the win but it was ultimately too little too late.
The Warriors have now lost to Melbourne and Manly in successive weeks and next Sunday face the other undefeated team of the competition, North Queensland, in Auckland.
"I think Manly deserve a fair bit of credit today," said Warriors coach Ivan Cleary.
"They really did not give us a look in after 20 minutes.
"We defended well for long periods ... we made something like 350 tackles and a lot of those were in our own end."
Warriors winger Crockett was sent to hospital after dislocating his left elbow in the 67th minute while George Gatis suffered concussion after a shuddering accidental hit from teammate Evarn Tuimavave.
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