For a man who loathes being the centre of attention, NSW prop Kade Snowden is doing a good job putting himself in the spotlight.

From clandestine contract negotiations with millionaire Newcastle owner Nathan Tinkler to a dramatic elevation to the Australian Test side, Snowden's 2011 campaign has been one headline followed by another.

Now comes a new banner as he assumes the role of NSW's engine room leader - all with just one State of Origin game under his belt - a title that doesn't sit comfortably with Snowden.

"I don't know, Kingy's older than me," Snowden claimed - pointing to his starting front row partner against Queensland next Wednesday night, Jason King.

"I'll just do what I do every week and do everything I can to help them out."

But as the tyro with a green and gold jumper in his kitbag, Snowden is the best credentialled big man in the Blues squad.

Back-up prop Tim Mannah joined Snowden and King in making his Origin debut in last year's dead rubber, while the other big man in Ricky Stuart's squad - Trent Merrin - will run out in the sky blue for the first time on Wednesday night.

Snowden's claim that he would look to produce what he does on a weekly basis would no doubt be gladly accepted by Stuart, with the hulking forward averaging more than 120 metres a game while also coming up with an NRL best 13 offloads so far this season.

While he was reluctant to accept the role of the Blues' main man up front, it had nothing on Snowden's unease at being at the centre of a tug-o-war for his services between the Sharks and Newcastle earlier this year.

The 24-year-old was all set to announce his re-signing with Cronulla in February before a last-minute phone call from Tinkler - who had yet to assume control of the Knights - forced him to pull out.

Rumours of a $400,000-a-year offer followed, with Snowden forced to wait until Tinkler had finally completed his takeover to move forward with his negotiations.

Then came speculation that incoming coach Wayne Bennett wasn't keen on signing the Newcastle junior - the weeks of innuendo finally ending when he agreed to a four-year deal with Newcastle last month.

"I'm not one that wants to be in the paper - I pretty much just want to keep to myself," Snowden said.'

"Being in the paper over all that stuff with what club I'm going to go to, it was pretty upsetting because I'm just not that kind of person.

"I'm just happy it's all sorted out and I can just start concentrating on football."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP