An untimely knee injury robbed Aiden Tolman of a State of Origin debut last year, but the powerhouse prop is keen to make his representative mark in 2011.

The 22-year-old was enjoying a breakout season for the Melbourne Storm and looked destined for a NSW Origin call-up before he was struck down with medial ligament damage in his knee in April.

And with the Blues desperate to find a group that can stand up to Queensland's intimidating pack that includes Australian props Petero Civoniceva, Matt Scott and David Shillington, Tolman stands tall as someone NSW can build around.

The Bulldogs recruit's new teammate, former Queensland representative David Stagg, is in no doubt that the blonde-topped frontrower is made of the right stuff.

"Absolutely he looks like an Origin player of the future," Stagg told AAP.

"From where he's come from, the club that he was at (Melbourne) certainly made him what he is, and he's very professional in everything he does.

"He's got all the attributes there to certainly do very well for us over a long period of time... he's only a young guy but he'll certainly develop with more experience."

Last weekend Tolman took his place among the Emerging Blues group where he introduced himself to new Blues coach Ricky Stuart.

He said it was the perfect prelude to what he hopes will be the season he secures his first sky blue jersey.

"It was helpful, one of the big things when you haven't been in the Origin squad is just to know what they go through in the camp," he said.

"To be on the outside looking in, you just want to know what goes on at these camps so it makes it a bit easier when you do get in there.

"I think it is a possibility (to play Origin this year).

"One of my goals is definitely to play Origin - it is everyone's goal to play for their state and their country, but to be honest I'm not really looking that far ahead.

"There are some good front rowers who are at the club who I have tocompete against just to get into the side first.

"If I got the chance to play Origin I would take it with both hands and would be very proud to get that experience in my game."

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