They had to endure a nerve-wracking ending, but the match was sealed when fullback Tim Moltzen ghosted through for a try in the 78th minute.

Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell scored a consolation try in the 80th minute, his second of the game, to narrow the final scoreline.

The home side did it without Chris Lawrence as well, with the makeshift five-eighth succumbing to a hamstring injury at halftime.

Beau Ryan kick-started the comeback when he capitalised on a Manu Vatuvei error to open the Tigers account six minutes after the break.

Ryan had put in an innocuous grubber which Vatuvei made a meal of, before the Tigers winger toed the ball ahead again and dove on it for the try.

As quick as a flash, the home side found themselves in the lead when from the following set after the kick-off they marched upfield and Benji Marshall put in a perfectly weighted kick for Lote Tuqiri to score his second try of the year.

Marshall completed the hot start to the second half with a sideline conversion to give the Tigers a 12-10 lead.

It looked a completely different Tigers outfit to the one that had bumbled their way to a 10-0 halftime deficit, care of tries to Warriors duo Bill Tupou and Ben Henry.

The match swung back in the Warriors favour in the 54th minute when five-eighth James Maloney, who had a fine game, latched onto a Moltzen grubber and started a 90-metre movement downfield which ended with Hurrell outpacing Marshall for a converted try to reclaim a 16-12 lead.

Ten minutes later, the Tigers found themselves back in front when powerful bench utility Matt Utai, playing his 150th NRL game, burrowed over from close range on his hands and knees to lock up the scores at 16-16.

Once again Marshall converted from the sideline, giving the Tigers a two-point lead that would eventually be the difference.
 

WESTS TIGERS 24 (T Moltzen B Ryan L Tuqiri M Utai tries B Marshall 4 goals) bt WARRIORS 22 (K Hurrell 2 B Henry B Tupou tries J Maloney 3 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: Tony Archer, Jason Robinson. Crowd: 16,406.

But questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the front rower covering his legs with the product, a tactic designed to not only make it hard for opponents to tackle him but also leave them with greasy hands, making it difficult to hold on to the ball.

Gold Coast prop Nate Myles made a point of rubbing vaseline into Graham's face after pinning down the former England captain during his side's 25-14 win over the Bulldogs in last Friday's double-header at Lang Park.

And rival clubs have privately said the 26-year-old should not be allowed to continue the practice.

Assistant referees chief Stuart Raper confirmed that officials have been powerless to act against Graham as there was nothing in the rules to prevent him from continuing the act, despite complaints from opposing players on the field.

"There's not much we can do," Raper said.

"The NRL make the rules, we just enforce them it is up to them to make the call."

NRL director of football operations Nathan McGurk met with Canterbury's chief executive Todd Greenberg this week and the matter had now been resolved.

"There is nothing in the rules regarding it, but I have spoken to Todd and we've come to an agreement we are both comfortable with," McGurk said.

McGurk said there had been no formal complaint to the NRL from rival clubs but said action had to be taken to outlaw the practice as a matter of commonsense.

"James can continue putting vaseline on his legs, as can every player, but he won't be coating it on like he has been," he said.

"It's a very minor matter, and something that can be quickly resolved and we believe it has been."

Greenberg and Graham, who will face Cronulla at the Olympic stadium on Monday, were both unavailable for comment.

The plunge relied on the first score being a Cowboys' penalty goal.

Ayoub's charge relates to a $90 bet he placed with NSW Tab on August 19.

Magistrate Antony Townsden handed down his judgement at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

He had earlier said that while there was a "compelling case" that the match in question was fixed, it was only one of the issues he would need to determine.

Earlier, counsel for Ayoub Murugan Thangaraj said the court could not find his client guilty because there had been no deception.

He said Ayoub had simply placed a bet with some insider knowledge, arguing the prosecution was wrong to ask the court to accept that placing the bet constituted deception.

Ayoub is one of four men charged in relation to the incident, including former NRL forward Ryan Tandy, who played for the Bulldogs in the match.

Tandy was fined $5000 after being found guilty of attempting to obtain a financial advantage for others in the match.

The Queenslanders shift camp to the beachside town of Torquay on Friday with Meninga saying the work they put in over the weekend would be crucial to their match preparations.

"The two sessions we've had have been very good," Meninga told AAP.

"It's about keeping the players fresh and keeping them off their legs but we'll do some hard work in Torquay over the weekend."

While NSW coach Ricky Stuart has a job on his hands getting his 17-man squad to click, Queensland's two 90-minute sessions at Melbourne's Xavier College have been outstanding.

The Queensland players have been largely together for six years with the only newcomer in camp this year being Brisbane's Matt Gillett.

But with four other Broncos' players in Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Petero Civoniceva and Ben Hannant in the 17-man Maroons' squad, Gillett has fitted in quickly, running some impressive lines at training.

"The hardest thing with Matt (Gillett) will be keeping him from getting too excited before the game," said Meninga.

"He's quiet and he's humble. He's got all the things you want in a Queenslander.

"It's just a matter of when he gets into the game, whether we need some impact early or we can wait.

"Whenever it is, you know his lungs will be bursting when he gets out there. You can never really prepare someone for their first Origin."

Centre Justin Hodges said Gillett had the right temperament to handle the hype that surrounds Origin.

"There's not as much pre-game atmosphere in Melbourne as there would be in Brisbane or Sydney which will help his nerves," said Hodges.

"But he's a pretty relaxed guy anyway and he seems to be fitting in very well."

Gordon suffered a broken leg in the 22-14 NRL loss to the Bulldogs back in March.

Gordon was playing his first game since undergoing a knee reconstruction last May and was taken to hospital after limping from the Centrebet Stadium field midway through the first half with a broken fibula.

Panthers General Manager Phil Gould made the announcement this afternoon.

“It’s sad to lose a player of Michael’s calibre, and such a wonderful person,” Gould said in a statement.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone involved with our club, and our fans, in wishing Michael and his family well in the next three seasons at the Sharks.

"In the meantime, we look forward to Michael recovering from his current injury, and playing more football with the Panthers during the 2012 season.”

More to come

The club will host a lunch that will include a panel of supporting partners - Angela White (wife of CEO Paul), Helen Griffin (wife of coach Anthony) and Rachel Thaiday (wife of captain Sam).

Jharal Yow Yeh and club legend Kerrod Walters will attend with their mums.

And the club is also asking fans to get in the pick, by buying the limited edition guernsey from the club shop or online HERE.

Tigers junior Pat Politoni will make his NRL debut at Leichhardt Oval from the interchange bench with Tom Humble starting at hooker in place of Robbie Farah who will miss the match due to NSW Origin duty.

Chris Heighington is set to return from a hand injury next week.

Warriors centre Jerome Ropati will now need surgery on his knee which will force him to sit out the rest of the season.

It was initially hoped the 27-year-old would face six to eight weeks out of action after dislocating the patella in his left knee 33 minutes into last Saturday night’s 10th-round encounter with the Roosters however needs surgery to repair his knee.

Pita Godinet has travelled with the side as 18th man.

North Queensland prop Ricky Thorby is expected to face Penrith on Saturday night despite suffering rib cartilage damage in the first half of last week’s wing against Newcastle.

The Cowboys will have their final training run on Friday.

Cory Paterson has been named on an extended bench and trained with the team with a decision on who will drop off yet to be made.

Penrith playmaker Travis Burns said he is relishing his time at halfback, having played most of his juniors in the role.

Luke Walsh is an outside chance of returning to the squad from a knee injury who are without Luke Lewis and Michael Jennings thanks to Origin duties.

“I think they will monitor him this week,” Burns told Sportsnewsfirst.com.au

“We’ve got Lewy out so it would be good to get a few boys back.”

Ryan Simpkins replaces Luke Lewis at lock.

Manly Sea Eagles hosts the Sydney Roosters on Sunday with the home side missing a number of key players through Origin but expect Daly Cherry-Evans to return from his commitments as Queensland 18th man in time for the game.

Winger David Williams remains in doubt with a hamstring injury.

Lock Nick Skinner has been named on an extended bench as has utility Liam Foran, although Kieran is expected to return from a hamstring injury.

The Roosters are not anticipating any changes with Jack Bosden expected to drop from the bench as 18th man.

St George Illawarra Dragons five-eighth Jamie Soward will return from a corked quad which kept him out of last week’s match after completing training on Thursday morning.

Beau Scott returned to light training on Thursday after dislocating his elbow but zero chance of playing this Sunday.

The Dragons have their last training run on Saturday.

South Sydney may give Luke Burgess one more week before returning from a fracture foot.

He has been named on a six man bench with Nathan Peats expected to drop off.

Canterbury Bulldogs have two training sessions remaining but expect to take the field as per program to face Cronulla on Monday.

Trent Hodkinson is a slight chance of making his return from a knee injury from the bench.

The Sharks have named a five-man bench with Jon Green expected to drop off the bench.

The Eels, Knights, Raiders, Storm, Broncos, Titans all have the bye.

Titans skipper Scott Prince rolled his ankle at training on Thursday and is having scans done to determine the full extent of the damage.

In last week’s win over Newcastle, the Cowboys skipper played 48 minutes but made over 100 meters and the week before 114 meters from 34 minutes.

“I’m 100 times better then I was last week,” Scott told Sportsnewsfirst.com.au of his injury.

“That’s pretty positive, it’s given me a lot more confidence, there’s still a bit of pain there but I think it’s getting better and better.

“It’s pretty hard to say where I’m at with this sort of injury it was alright at the start of the game but I copped a bit of a hit on it in the second half and then it got sore but if it improves as much this week as it did last I will be 100 percent.”

While the Maroons are in camp in Melbourne ahead of the May 23 series opener, Scott is yet to return to full training, spending the first part of the week in the gym before participating in field sessions.

“First part of the week so far I’ve been inside,” he said.

“It’s sore after the game and backing up two days in a row is pretty tough but the amount I’ve been running each week has improved so I don’t think it will be too long until I’m back in full training.”

According to Scott, missing a few sessions is not detrimental to the maroon’s preparation having kept the core group for so many years he will slot back into his place with ease.

“I’m pretty confident I can adapt pretty quickly to however we play,” Scott said.

“A front rowers job is pretty simple in any side and I’ve been lucky enough to play a fair few games with the core of the Queensland side so I know how the team plays so we shouldn’t have any issue with adapting my training a little bit.”

Scott also said Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston will slot straight into their positions in the first Origin post Darren Lockyer.

The prop believes Queensland’s new combination is just as strong as the one they possessed with Lockyer.

“JT has just been getting better and better each week,” Scott said.

“I think they showed they’ve (Cronk and Thurston) got that combination in the Test match and they’ve played enough footy together to know each other’s game pretty well.

“It’s been working pretty well for us (at the Cowboys) having JT a little wider and I’m sure that will transfer to origin.”

Menawhile Prop Dave Shillington has trained with the Queensland team on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session while battling a virus.

And, in further good news for the Maroons, centre Justin Hodges has declared his foot injury is no longer an issue after completing a full training session at Melbourne's Xavier College on Wednesday.

The Queenslanders will shift camp to the beachside town of Torquay on Friday and Saturday before returning to their Melbourne base on Sunday.

With AAP.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said Thompson was another key re-signing for the club to follow on from forwards Gavin Cooper and Ashton Sims in the past fortnight.

“It’s always a priority for us to keep North Queensland’s best young players in North Queensland and that’s what we have done with Ray extending his contract with us for another three years,” Parr said.

“He’s a great example of what this club is all about.”

Secured until at least the end of the 2015 season, the Cairns-born half played every minute of every game at five-eighth in 2011 when the Cowboys made the finals series for the first time in four years.

At just 22, Thompson has already played 40 NRL matches and represented Papua New Guinea against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII.

The Townsville junior has also won North Queensland’s most improved player award twice.

“Everyone at the Cowboys is extremely happy with how Ray has progressed through our system to become a regular in the NRL squad,” Parr said.

“He’s worked hard and is making the most of the opportunities he has.”

“The one thing I’ve noticed since I got back this club has gotten better,” Hoffman said.

“I didn’t think it could (but it has) in all avenues, the front office to the people in the football department and we as players need to take advantage of that.”

Hoffman is currently sidelined but hopeful of making a speedy return to the football field after succumbing to a calf injury.

He injured his calf late in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Cronulla Sharks and expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks.

Hoffman would have missed Round 11 if the Storm were playing but is now hopeful the bye weekend will aid his recovery.

“With about 10 minutes to go the calf got a bit sore,” Hoffman said on SEN.

“I got a scan and there is a bit of a tear.

“It’s been unfortunate we have had a few guys at the club go down with muscular injuries.”

Missing Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith through State of Origin duties, the club also has a number of key men on the injured list.

Sika Manu is progressing well from his ankle injury and is on track to make a return to football in Rd 13 while Siosaia Vave injured his knee during the Round 9 match against the Panthers and could be sidelined for up to 2 weeks.

Kevin Proctor was a late withdrawal from last week’s game after straining his hamstring at training leading into the Sharks match.

He is a chance to be available to play against the Broncos, but is in extreme doubt meaning the bye weekend has come at the right time with Thursday, Friday and Saturday rest days before the squad heads into a special camp.

“We have a few guys with a few niggles who obviously need a week to get it right,” Hoffman said.

“Obviously a very strenuous time coming up with Origin and guys being away but also we need a lot of guys on the training paddock as well.

“This group without the Origin guys is integral to our season.”

After meeting with surgeons and undergoing knee reconstruction surgery, his rehabilitation will extend into next the 2013 pre-season after LARS surgery was ruled out due to prior damage to the knee.

“He’s going to require full reconstruction with his hamstring graft which will end his season,” said Dragons performance director Andrew Gray.

“Michael will commence his rehabilitation immediately following the surgery but we won’t see moving again until next season’s pre-season.”

The Australia international who narrowly missed selection for the New South Wales State of Origin team on Sunday tried to remain positive despite yet another setback following a troublesome hamstring issue last year.

“It’s disappointing news but that’s part of life and football in general so I can only move forward and start the recovery process,” said Weyman.

“I’ve been enjoying my football alongside my teammates this season and I will be supporting them from the sidelines any way I can.

“They are a great bunch of blokes who I enjoy training and playing alongside so I’ll miss that aspect of things.

“The team though has plenty of depth to work with including few young players so overall we will be in good stead whoever takes to the field.”

Dragons utility Nathan Fien also suffered injury to his knee in the same fixture but will not require surgery following his consultation with surgeons over his scan results.

The New Zealand international is expected to undergo three weeks of extensive rehabilitation before reintegrating with the first-grade training squad.

Hasler and the Bulldogs were moved by Nicholas' story and decided to take part in the cause which has raised $100,000 for the organisation.

Hasler said he last had a hair cut 25 years ago but despite his attachment to his hair, the decision to lose the locks was an easy one to make.

“It pales to insignificance when you look at it in the light (of what Nicholas has been through),” Hasler said.

“I’ve had closer shaves, sorry there’s a (bad) joke.”

Hasler said after having his head shaved it would be 25 years before the two-time premiership winning coach has his next one.

After receiving his new look Hasler has received plenty of ribbing from his family.

“They didn’t recognise me at first,” he joked.

“They laughed, they keep me grounded.”

The Bulldogs face Cronulla on Monday night in what he expects to be a tough clash despite the Sharks being without Paul Gallen and Todd Carney through State of Origin duty.

“They’ve earned that place, I think they’re second on the table,” Hasler said.

“They are playing good footy and playing with a lot of confidence.”

With a similar feeling about the farewell series for one of the games greats, the series opener in Melbourne will be Civoniceva's 31st appearance just over 11 years since his debut as a second-rower in 2001.

“Petero is the same sort of model as Locky, a very humble sort of a bloke,” Scott told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.

“He’ll be coming into the side with his own job to do and I’m pretty sure he’ll be telling us that we’ve got our job to do instead of thinking of his swansong.”

Civoniceva, 36, made his debut for the Maroons when they defeated the Blues 2-1 in 2001 and he has been one of the pillars in the front row ever since.

Having already been through the experience of managing such a high profiled swan song, Scott said while Civoniceva’s farewell will be in the back of his teammates' mind, the squad will keep a hold on their emotions.

“Of course it’s going to be in everyone’s mind,” Scott said.

“It might add a bit of extra motivation but I think one thing we did well last year was not to let the hype of Locky’s last year get to us and (Queensland coach) Mal (Meninga) is very good at managing that sort of stuff.

“The good thing about this team means everyone will concentrate on their role and it’ll be no different this year.”

Meanwhile New South Wales winger Jarryd Hayne admits he felt a sense of relief when his name was read out for the Blues despite being in yo-yo like form this season.

The Parramatta fullback said the question of whether he would lift an extra mile when pulling on the sky blues jersey was irrelevant with all his teammates needing to do so come Wednesday.

“I think everyone in the team needs to go an extra mile,” Hayne said.

“It’s State of Origin, if you’re not ready to do that you’re probably not ready to play.”

Hayne said he agreed with some parts of the criticism he received but un-phased by comments made about him, rather focused on his job for the Blues.

“You can only read so much into it so for my part I can only just focus on what I am doing and get it right,” he said.

“I probably wasn’t in good form either last year.

“I’m just looking forward and getting ready for the game and excited for the build up.”

“I know we’ve got a great backline, it’s almost the Australian back line apart from big Aku (Uate) but they’ve got a lot of speed out wide,” Smith told the Big Sports Breakfast.

“Jennings is there and although he played NSW cup on the weekend he hasn’t lost his ability and a week in camp with Ricky Stuart I think his attitude will be right for this game.

“Whenever he’s got the ball he’s a threat.

“It doesn’t matter whether he’s trying to beat you on the outside he doesn’t mind coming back in field and testing out the big boys especially Origin level that’s where we will be tested with those small speedy men coming back through the middle.”

Of the Blues squad, Smith said Ricky Stuart has selected a tough side, superior to previous outings which has seen the Maroons take six-straight series victories.

“Ricky has gone for a team with plenty of points in them,” he said.

“A lot of attacking prowess through the halves obviously with (Mitchell) Pearce and (Todd) Carney.

“Carney is in great form, I saw that first hand on the weekend and the big debate of the No.9, obviously Robbie (Farah) has got the nod there and we all know what he can do from dummy half.

“It’s a really good team. They’re going to be better than last year there’s no doubt about that.

“I think Ricky did a great job of getting that belief in them and that passion for the Blues and its going to be a big first up match.”

For Queensland, Darius Boyd comes into Wednesday’s game as the most out of form player in the Queensland squad but that is no cause for concern according to Smith.

“The Newcastle Knights - their team form has been up and down this year,” Smith said.

“Obviously Darius is a big part of that team but I think he got a lot of confidence out of that game the other night against the Cowboys.

“It was probably the best game he’s played all season but he’s a guy who has done a great job for us ever since he played for this team.

“He’s solid in defence, he runs the ball well and he’s pretty handy under the high ball too and I know he will be pretty confident and he’s looking forward to getting outside Greg Inglis.”

Smith believes Boyd will benefit from his time alongside the world class players, un-burdened by weighty expectations of carrying a team and will be allowed to focus solely on his role come Wednesday night.

“When you play club football you don’t have a team full of representative players and that’s just the nature of our game, you can’t field a representative team,” Smith said.

“I think it’s really nice to get into a team where you know all you have to worry about is your own job and the other blokes around you do their thing and it makes it easier for everyone.”

Gallen injured his knee in the Sharks Round 9 loss to South Sydney and sat out last weeks game as a precaution.

The prop is however in no doubt to miss the State of Origin series opener in Melbourne on May 23.

St George Illawarra duo Ben Creagh and Trent Merrin also didn't train along with Peneith skipper Luke Lewis.

The trio were given the day off as they played in Monday nights's match.

They looked on from the field while the squad was put through some light training drills and learnt set pieces.

Manly utility Jamie Buhrer spent the majority of his time training at hooker.

Boasting a new-look side, Dean Whare replaces Brett Stewart at fullback, Daniel Harrison, Joe Galuvao replace the back rowers while Liam Foran takes the utility role on the bench.

Winger David Williams is in serious doubt with a hamstring injury while halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will return to take his place in the match after being picked at 18th man for the Queensland Origin side.

While Manly coach Geoff Toovey stopped short of saying Foran was a certainty, he did confirm he was confident of having the Kiwi international return this weekend.

"Definitely is a big word but we're pretty sure,” Toovey said.

"If it was a grand final last week he probably would have played so we're pretty confident that he'll train all this week with us and that he'll be playing."

Despite the loss of so meant key players due to the Origin series, co-captain Jamie Lyon's retirement from representative football despite receiving a phone call from Blues coach Ricky Stuart, means the Sea Eagles will continue to benefit from his devastating form.

"It's fantastic for us," former Origin prop Jason King said.

"Obviously whenever Jamie puts on a Manly jersey it's a bonus.

"He's a proven performer and one of the best centres in the game so whenever he runs out for Manly it's really good for us."

When asked whether the 30-year-old was in just as good form as two years ago when he last played for Australia and New South Wales, King was unable to judge.

He did however label him as one of the best in the game.

"It's hard to compare because he's played fantastic football over the years and consistently plays well," King said.

"All I can say is he's a quality player and a quality act and up there on the weekend he showed why he's one of the best in the game coming up with that play in the dying stages to help us win the game."

Agreeing to a new two-year deal that runs until the end of the 2014 season, the 26-year-old has capped off a successful return to his first NRL club after spending stints with Gold Coast Titans and Penrith.

In his second year of his second stint at North Queensland, Cooper says he feels right at home at the Cowboys and hopes this contract won’t be his last with the club.

“I have travelled around a bit I guess, but I feel right at home here at the Cowboys,” Cooper said.

“This new contract will make it four years this time around and hopefully we might be able to add a little extension to the end of it.

“We’ve got a great group of players here this year, and signed up for the next few years, and I’m really happy that I’m going to be part of what happens here.”

Cooper made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in 2006, returning to North Queensland for the 2011 season and recently brought up his half-century of NRL games for the club.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said Cooper had developed into an outstanding back-rower and his signature was a priority for North Queensland.

“You can see the development that has occurred with Gavin as a player,” Parr said.

"He’s now a starting second-rower at a club that we believe has very good forward depth.

“In addition, he was our clubman of the year last year which shows his attributes are not just restricted to his ability to play the game.

“He’s a contributor to the Cowboys on many levels and a real asset to this club.”

“I think it was a blessing in disguise,” Merrin said of missing the final game in Brisbane last year.

“It hurt a bit and lit a fire for me at the start of this year.

“That taste I had for Origin, I wanted it again.

“It's a big test for myself and I love testing myself.

“I'm happy Ricky and the team's given me a chance again.”

The St George Illawarra bench prop believes his inexperience cost him last year, but after another season under his belt he is better suited to returning to the Origin arena come May 23 in Melbourne.

“Yeah you can say inexperience hit me a bit,” he said.

“I've matured a lot more now. I know what to expect (and) to concentrate on my own game.

“I'm still going to be nervous but I've got little targets to get myself into the game.”

Meanwhile Manly brothers Glenn and Brett Stewart have finally realised a childhood dream by playing alongside each other for New South Wales in State of Origin.

After winning two premiership together for the Sea Eagles, NSW lock Glenn Stewart said playing alongside his younger brother will be a special moment not only for the pair but their family.

“Obviously we're very proud and probably something more so we'll look back on and be very proud of,” Stewart said.

“The family's very stoked, hopefully we can get the right result and celebrate.

“When we were younger, just playing NRL together was a goal and as we went further along in our careers the goals get bigger and this is one of them.”

After thinking he may not get the opportunity to wear the sky blue alongside his injury riddled brother, Glenn said he was extremely proud of how the fullback has fought back from a serious knee injury which threatened to end his career.

“It hasn't worked out real well for us in previous years, either one of us was out of form or injured, and these things don't come around too often - we just take this with both hands,” Stewart said.

“He's going real well, the family's proud with the way he's come back from his knee injury, it was a long road and he's playing some of his best football now.”

The Blues had their first training session together on Tuesday at Penrith’s Centrebet Stadium but the hard work won’t begin until the side travel to Melbourne on Wednesday.

"The camp gets everyone in together and everyone gets on really well,” Stewart said.

“A bit of a bonding session and we got to Melbourne tomorrow and the main stuff this afternoon will just be getting the legs moving, but the real stuff will be when we get to Melbourne.”

“The club comes first and I wanted to get everything right with my club first before all this origin comes.

“It was tough (going to Auckland playing in NSW Cup for Windsor) but obviously that’s what Ivan wanted me to do, if he thought that was what was best for the team I’m all by it.

“I had to go do the job there and all I could do is go and do the job with a positive attitude.

“Personally I’ve got a point to prove to myself.”

Despite lacking form, the attacking weapon has backed his headspace to deal with the high stakes of the State of Origin series opener denying he has an attitude problem.

A relaxed Jennings is set to make his fifth appearance for the Blues on May 23 when they do battle with the six straight series winners Queensland in Melbourne.

Despite being dropped by club side Penrith to the NSW Cup last weekend, missing Monday night’s thrilling golden point victory over St George Illawarra.

Jennings admitted it was tough to watch his Penrith teammates face the Dragons while he sat on the sideline with his Blues teammates.

While the 24-year-old is unsure but hopeful of returning to first grade for the Panthers Round 12 clash with Manly, he believes he is in a positive heads space and capable of playing his role for NSW both physically and mentally.

“Mentally I know I’m prepared it has been a tough ride for me mentally and physically I am ready,” Jennings said.

“I’m grateful (coach Ricky Stuart) gave me this opportunity again and grateful he stuck by me.

“All I can do now is my job; he’s got faith in me and believes in my ability.

“I’ll just do my job and come with a positive attitude.

“I just have to come with the right attitude obviously it hasn’t been the right prep for me mentally I just need to be strong and obviously Ricky has that faith so I’m going to stick by him.”

Despite concerns two weeks ago over a shoulder injury, Jennings confirmed he is back to full fitness.

Jennings said he will take some confidence out of his Origin performance last year having been selected in less than desirable form.

“I can take that confidence from last year,” he said.

“At the moment I’m just focused on being here and enjoying everyone’s company.”

While his attitude has come under scrutiny of those in rugby league circles, Jennings denied he has any problem, admitting it bothers him to hear and read about it.

“I know myself and for people to say that about me and not know me is pretty disappointing,” he said.

“I know that I’ve got the right attitude.”

While Bennett says the Knights have had three players taken out in two weeks and received no penalties, Bellamy is urging his former mentor to play the game on its merits and leave the referees to do their job.

"I don't think there's any more high hits than there has been before and the referees are doing a pretty good job on it," Bellamy told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's just a matter of us, or the players, trusting the officials and getting on with it.

"It (milking) is a really bad look for our game.

"Having a guy like Wayne Bennett come out and say he's going to tell his players to lay down, well that's not what our game's about either.

"If Wayne thinks it's getting that bad, we've got a bit of a worry.

"You can see it slowly but surely creeping into our game where people are staying down.

"The one thing good about our game compared to some other codes is it keeps flowing.

"If we're going to get people laying down, that's going to pull it up.

"If they start going to the video ref to see whether it was a high shot or not, that's more breaks in play."

Bellamy said he had raised the topic with his players a couple of years ago and they emphatically refused to lay down for minor contact.

"So I haven't really brought it up with them again. I suppose we will revisit that if it keeps going," he said.

"You've just got to come back to the players. If they get a bit of a hit up there but they're right to play on, play on.

"If they have to think about staying down, well they're not that badly hurt.

"When they cop one and they don't know where they're at, that's when they don't get up."

Meanwhile, Bellamy says the Storm didn't work hard enough and weren't switched on in attack in the loss to Cronulla, Melbourne's first defeat in 10 games this season.

The Storm host the Broncos on May 25, two days after game one of the State of Origin series.