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TO appreciate how far big Jamal Idris has come in the past 12 months to produce the sort of performance he came up with for Country on Sunday, you have to think back to where he was this time last year.
Virtually teaching himself how to walk properly again.
All 120kg of him.
Jamal Idris tackles Dylan Walker. Source: Getty Images
Jamal Idris scores a try. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
Jamal Idris on the attack. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
That was what he was faced with, such was the extent of the badly broken leg he suffered last season.
So you can understand why, despite being back to his damaging best during his side's 26-all draw with City Origin in Dubbo, Idris is not prepared to say he is ready for the State of Origin cauldron just yet.
Will Hopoate scores the levelling try. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
Jarrod Mullen disappointed after Will Hopoate's try to level the game at Caltex Oval, Dubbo. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
"That's my eighth game back this year after nine or 10 months out," he said .
"I'm just trying to get back in the groove of things.
"For you to break your leg and have screws and plates and all that put in, you basically learn to walk again almost.
"Origin, it's the pinnacle of football. It's where you want to be. Play against the best and you want to test yourself every day.
Dylan Walker pulled down in a late trysaver by David Mead. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
"But in saying that, I want to be ready when I do play.
"I'm getting better but like I said, I was out for nine to 10 months."
Idris was one of a host of players who reminded Blues coach Laurie Daley just what they have to offer.
Matt Moylan on the attack. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
On the strength of it, no one on show on Sunday demanded Blues selection.
But there were plenty who gave an indication they will be ready if they get the nod after an extraordinary game that saw City recover from a seemingly hopeless 26-10 deficit with under five minutes left to finish with a draw thanks to three tries at the death, including one right on fulltime by William Hopoate.
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Country five-eighth Jarrod Mullen outpointed his City opponent Josh Reynolds to lay his claim for the Blues five-eighth spot but Reynolds is certainly not out of the picture.
Country coach Trent Barrett said of Mullen: "I thought he was terrific. I thought he did everything he could."
Daniel Tupou rises high to score. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
"He played tough, he was calm. He came up with a couple of plays that turned the game and I thought his defence was probably the biggest thing. Gee, he defended well."
Barrett believes the game provided Daley with plenty of food for thought, saying his side's great defence early in the second half was what Origin is all about.
"At one stage of the game they (Country) defended 10 sets on their try-line," he said.
"If you are looking for an Origin attitude or players that will put their hands up and fight for each other and hang in, well that was a good example of it.
"They had some individual brilliance, City, and if Laurie can pick the eyes out of both teams and take the grit that I thought our side showed and a little bit of brilliance that their side showed, NSW are in good hands."
Kevin Gordon celebrates a try. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
Neither side had a bad player, with the likes of winger Daniel Tupou and Country back-rowers Dale Finucane and Josh Jackson enhancing their reputations.
NSW COUNTRY 26 (D Mead 2 K Gordon J Idris J McManus tries T Roberts 3 goals) drew NSW CITY 26 (D Tupou 2 A Fifita W Hopoate J Reynolds tries A Reynolds 3 goals) at Caltex Park. Referee: Gavin Badger, Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 9,627.
See how we covered the game live below.
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