Brisbane prop Joel Clinton is hopeful his solid start to 2009 will put him back on the radar for NSW selectors and the one-time Test player can finally crack into the State of Origin arena.

Clinton was 18th man for NSW on a few occasions five years ago but has never pulled on a sky blue jumper for an Origin debut.

The 27-year-old is one of several props hunting a NSW start in 2009 as the Blues seek to end a three-year series losing streak against the Queenslanders.

With incumbent prop Brett White sidelined with a foot injury, and forward pack changes expected for NSW, the door is open for some new faces in the team.

Manly's Test pairing of Brent Kite and Josh Perry would come under serious consideration for Origin returns after being snubbed in 2008, while Dragons duo Michael Weyman and Justin Poore, Cronulla's Luke Douglas and Clinton would be the main contenders for Origin debuts.

Clinton showed he could muscle up at Origin intensity by leading the way as the Broncos beat the Sydney Roosters 28-24 at the SFS on Friday night.

He and fellow bookend Nick Kenny dominated the Roosters pack filled with representative stars Nate Myles, Craig Fitzgibbon, Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason.

Clinton said his desire to play for NSW was still burning, but he knows he must keep performing for the Broncos to even get back on the representative radar.

"It would be unreal to don the blue (jersey). It is in the back of the mind but at the front of the mind is just playing well for Brisbane," said Clinton.

"I've only made the 18 man squad. It's been a while, four or five years I think.

"I made the 18 man squad and they dropped me three times. I was the last man. They never picked me again. It happens and you just move on from it.

"I think with representative football if your team is going well everything else rolls off that.

"You can strive for that sort of stuff once your playing good football for your club.

"I can only keep playing well and get out there every week to play good footy. That is what the selectors look for."

Clinton is in his second season in Brisbane after leaving Penrith at the end of 2007.

He has added some bulk to his frame in the offseason and is desperate to move forward from what he describes as a disappointing first year in Queensland.

"I wasn't happy with it at all," he said of 2008.

"I put too much pressure on myself going up to a club like that and it just didn't work for me.

"I look at it as a learning curve for me, it happens for a lot of players. You have a rough year and last year was my rough year.

"I've had a really good offseason. I've put a lot of weight on this year.

"I have added some size and the few extra kilos is helping me out there on the field."

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