Jacob Preston is a leading candidate to replace injured Liam Martin for NSW's State of Origin opener.
Jacob Preston has already come mightily close to representing NSW and Australia, but a Blues debut is starting to gather momentum with the Bulldogs back-rower one of the leading candidates to replace Liam Martin if he's ruled out of the State of Origin opener with a knee injury.
Martin left the field during Thursday night's game against Preston's Bulldogs, with reports suggesting he could miss six to eight weeks with an MCL injury.
The Origin opener on May 27 is roughly six weeks away, which would mean Martin wouldn't have any footy under his belt even if he's able to return at the lower end of the scale.
Losing him would be a massive blow for Blues coach Laurie Daley, given Martin has represented his state 15 times, but NSW has no shortage of options on the edge with Preston, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu all in scorching form.
While the others have played for the Blues, Preston is still waiting for his chance after he trained with them in Leura last year.