A stellar performance steering the Knights to their 13-12 victory over the ladder-leading Titans last week has thrown Newcastle playmaker Jarrod Mullen back into Origin contention - but he'll have to put it all on the line against Melbourne.
Mullen - who made his first and only appearance in the Blues No.7 jersey in Game I last year - will square up against the reigning premiers on Monday night where he will have one final chance to impress in front of NSW coach Craig Bellamy.
Punters have backed Mullen in from a $107 long-shot to a $7 chance to be handed the hotly contested halfback honours when the Blues team is announced on Tuesday, but Mullen says time spent on the sideline will work against him.
"I think the fact I had a calf injury and the whole timing of it kept me out of City-Country will make it tough for me," Mullen told News Limited.
"It's great I get to play in front of the Origin coach and I'll be out there trying to stake my claim. But the team is picked (on) Tuesday and even with a big game I don't think I'll get in.
"We'll see what happens but I think it will come down to Kurt Gidley and Brett Finch for the halfback role."
With eight Melbourne players backing up from Friday night's physical Centenary Test, the Knights will be looking to reverse their horror record at Olympic Park - having had a total of 144 points amassed against them in their last three starts south of the border.
