Cody Walker's best game of the year could amount to nothing in the race to keep his NSW No.6 jersey after a high shot dimmed his stardom in South Sydney's 38-20 win over Parramatta.
Walker's left edge ran riot in the Rabbitohs' big win, as they bounced back from last week's 44-point flogging from Penrith to claim their biggest scalp of the season.
But it came on a horror night for State of Origin selectors, with Cameron Murray on report for one crusher tackle and Nathan Brown two.
Walker was also pinged for a high tackle on Jake Arthur, with previous offences meaning any charge will result in a ban and not a fine.
Likely Queensland hooker Reed Mahoney was also placed on report for dangerous contact, as was NSW hopeful Ryan Matterson.
But behaviour aside, Souths had every reason to be smiling in Indigenous round.
Winger Alex Johnston and his inside man Dane Gagai both bagged hat-tricks on the left, while Walker had a hand in five of Souths' seven tries.
After seemingly falling behind Jarome Luai and Jack Wighton in the battle for the NSW No.6 jersey, Walker will be hoping his statement did not come too late and was not in vain.
Moved to fullback for four weeks last month with Latrell Mitchell suspended, he lacked the same impact he normally has in the front line.
But his influence couldn't be questioned on Saturday night at Stadium Australia, just 24 hours out from Brad Fittler naming his NSW squad.
It was the variety in South Sydney's left-edge attack that left the Eels in tatters.
After Cook scored their first going over untouched from a scrum, Walker and Mitchell combined beautifully for their next through Johnston.
Walker went to the line and passed outside for Mitchell, who provided a quick chest pass to put his winger into space.
Their next came in similar fashion, except this time it was Gagai who took the ball from Walker and passed it onto Mitchell.
Then it was Gagai who became the beneficiary.
The Souths centre warmed up for Origin when Walker first put him through a hole with a lovely flat cut-out ball just before the break to give the Rabbitohs complete control.
After the break they were at it again, this time with Walker taking the ball from the scrum and letting his centre hit a hole at speed and going over.
Johnston then had his hat-trick when Walker and Mitchell again combined to put the winger over untouched with 20 minutes to play.
The assault came even after Parramatta switched Waqa Blake to the other edge after he was exposed by Manly's left edge last week.
The Eels were never really in the contest, with 10-6 down being the closest they got when Arthur out on a smart chip kick that bounced up for Clint Gutherson.
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