Souths back-rower Angus Crichton has revealed that Blues coach Brad Fittler has requested access to his weekly NRL data as he schemes his Origin side.
The star Rabbitoh admits it is humbling to be on Fittler's radar, but also brings pressure.
"It’s all well and good to be monitored by Freddie, but you don’t just want to be in the ballpark,” Crichton told The Daily Telegraph.
“I guess it is one thing to be talked about, but I think playing Origin is a whole different thing and you want to be in the team.
“You can’t get too excited about whispers and you’ve just to focus on playing your best footy here at club.
“But if I do get the call up, I’d be stoked and take it with both hands."
The star Rabbitoh is not looking too far forward, with his sights firmly set on North Queensland this weekend, who he is not underestimating.
“We can’t forget that they were in a grand final last year,” Crichton said.
“They are capable of winning footy games and winning well.
“They’ve got a really classy side with the likes of JT and Gavin Cooper, who have played a lot of Origins together and won a grand final.
“We are going to have to be on top of our game to win.
“But competition is always good and it pushes you to be the best.”
Crichton says he is excited about the opportunity to come up against the Cowboys' big names.
“I love it — that is why you play the game,” he said.
“You get excited coming up against those big forwards and big game players like JT and Taumalolo. They are the games you want to play in.
“You get the opportunity to play against greatness and you can see where you are on the spectrum — it’s a test for yourself.
“It’s not every day you get to play someone like Johnathan Thurston.”
The 22-year old is set to join the Roosters on a three-year deal in 2019 and would like to finish his career at South Sydney off on a high.
“I want to leave here winning a premiership for Souths,” he said.
“That is where my mindset is.”
The Rabbitohs will meet the Cowboys on Saturday night in Townsville.