Latest news with #NewSouthWelshman
West Australian
2 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Adrian Barich: impostors, incompetence, the ‘Peter principle' and why you're not fooling your coworkers
I've never forgotten when a bloke said to me, 'How good is Perth? We could take over this town'. He had just moved to WA from Sydney and after being here for about five minutes, had summed up the laid-back attitude of many of us in the west. He was saying that given a chance to play golf or surf or head down south — most West Aussies would do that, in preference to working 'too' hard. I've always remembered how in a scene — I think it was from either Happy Days or maybe the TV spin-off Laverne & Shirley — where a couple of cooks (husband and wife) were offered the chance to work overtime, and they answered by grabbing baseball bats, as if to say, 'fat chance pal'. At the time I never understood why they acted that way. But after moving to Perth in the 1980s to rejoin my family, it all made sense. I think that what the New South Welshman was referring to — that sometimes the extra money/kudos/experience/prestige just isn't worth it, especially when you live in God's country and almost every day there's a blue sky just waiting to be enjoyed. That was also reiterated to me by a Melbournian recently, who lamented that while we in the west basically always have blue skies, in Victoria an overcast greyness often rules. It's no wonder plenty of people in WA feel like they're bluffing their way through the workday. It's easy to feel like a fraud. And in too many workplaces, it's just as easy to be one. We've all heard the saying 'fake it till you make it' (probably more times than we've heard 'you're on mute' in a Zoom meeting). But let's be honest, faking it isn't making it: it's just acting. In professional sport, you can't fake it. If you drop the ball (literally or figuratively), you get found out instantly. You can't explain away a missed goal with a LinkedIn post about your 'strategic vision'. But in the workplace? Mediocrity can sometimes get a pay rise. There even seems to be a strange pact in some offices: don't expose my incompetence and I won't expose yours. It's all nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more, like a skit in Monty Python, which might seem like a bit of fun until somehow Beau gets promoted, despite not being able to open a PDF without calling IT. Apparently, it's called the Peter Principle, which comes from economist Laurence J. Peter: 'In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to their level of incompetence.' I don't think I'm sufficiently equipped to fully explain this, but we know what he means, in our heart of hearts. Then there is 'impostor syndrome' (which isn't what you think it is). That's all about self-doubt and constantly wondering if you are good enough. If you're not familiar, please google it: you might be surprised to read it's about good people who, for some reason, are unsure of themselves. But then there's the flip side we don't talk about much: the actual impostors. If you want to avoid that tag, here are some tips. Don't be sneaky. Don't promise to 'circle back' or 'leverage synergies' when you actually have no clue what the project is really about. You might fool us all for a while, but the smart people will work it out. They know. They see who's real and who's just jumping on the back of other people's efforts. As Abraham Lincoln purportedly once said: 'You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.' And as French writer Francois de La Rochefoucauld put it (probably after getting towelled up in a meeting): 'We are more often deceived by pride than by cunning.' (If you're like me, that will take a bit of digesting but once you get there, it's a spot-on analysis). And as old mate Abe also apparently said: 'Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.' Again, hard to comprehend at first blush but worth delving into the true meaning. So, if you're the quiet achiever who's not sure you belong, don't stress: you're probably doing better than you think. Don't regret having a good heart. Good things have a way of coming back and multiplying. Be a believer in providence. Keep showing up, do your bit, and don't worry if you're not telling enough people about how well you're going.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Please don't 'circle back' or 'leverage synergies'
I've never forgotten when a bloke said to me, 'How good is Perth? We could take over this town'. He had just moved to WA from Sydney and after being here for about five minutes, had summed up the laid-back attitude of many of us in the west. He was saying that given a chance to play golf or surf or head down south — most West Aussies would do that, in preference to working 'too' hard. I've always remembered how in a scene — I think it was from either Happy Days or maybe the TV spin-off Laverne & Shirley — where a couple of cooks (husband and wife) were offered the chance to work overtime, and they answered by grabbing baseball bats, as if to say, 'fat chance pal'. At the time I never understood why they acted that way. But after moving to Perth in the 1980s to rejoin my family, it all made sense. I think that what the New South Welshman was referring to — that sometimes the extra money/kudos/experience/prestige just isn't worth it, especially when you live in God's country and almost every day there's a blue sky just waiting to be enjoyed. That was also reiterated to me by a Melbournian recently, who lamented that while we in the west basically always have blue skies, in Victoria an overcast greyness often rules. It's no wonder plenty of people in WA feel like they're bluffing their way through the workday. It's easy to feel like a fraud. And in too many workplaces, it's just as easy to be one. We've all heard the saying 'fake it till you make it' (probably more times than we've heard 'you're on mute' in a Zoom meeting). But let's be honest, faking it isn't making it: it's just acting. In professional sport, you can't fake it. If you drop the ball (literally or figuratively), you get found out instantly. You can't explain away a missed goal with a LinkedIn post about your 'strategic vision'. But in the workplace? Mediocrity can sometimes get a pay rise. There even seems to be a strange pact in some offices: don't expose my incompetence and I won't expose yours. It's all nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more, like a skit in Monty Python, which might seem like a bit of fun until somehow Beau gets promoted, despite not being able to open a PDF without calling IT. Apparently, it's called the Peter Principle, which comes from economist Laurence J. Peter: 'In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to their level of incompetence.' I don't think I'm sufficiently equipped to fully explain this, but we know what he means, in our heart of hearts. Then there is 'impostor syndrome' (which isn't what you think it is). That's all about self-doubt and constantly wondering if you are good enough. If you're not familiar, please google it: you might be surprised to read it's about good people who, for some reason, are unsure of themselves. But then there's the flip side we don't talk about much: the actual impostors. If you want to avoid that tag, here are some tips. Don't be sneaky. Don't promise to 'circle back' or 'leverage synergies' when you actually have no clue what the project is really about. You might fool us all for a while, but the smart people will work it out. They know. They see who's real and who's just jumping on the back of other people's efforts. As Abraham Lincoln purportedly once said: 'You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.' And as French writer Francois de La Rochefoucauld put it (probably after getting towelled up in a meeting): 'We are more often deceived by pride than by cunning.' (If you're like me, that will take a bit of digesting but once you get there, it's a spot-on analysis). And as old mate Abe also apparently said: 'Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.' Again, hard to comprehend at first blush but worth delving into the true meaning. So, if you're the quiet achiever who's not sure you belong, don't stress: you're probably doing better than you think. Don't regret having a good heart. Good things have a way of coming back and multiplying. Be a believer in providence. Keep showing up, do your bit, and don't worry if you're not telling enough people about how well you're going.
The Advertiser
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Lomax desperate for Origin on rollercoaster day for NSW
Zac Lomax has admitted he would be "devastated" to be overlooked for the State of Origin series opener, as NSW dealt with a rollercoaster day on selection eve. On a chaotic Saturday for the Blues, incumbent captain Jake Trbojevic was knocked out, Jacob Saifiti's calf left him in doubt and Stephen Crichton avoided a ban. Trbojevic's spot had already been in some doubt, but any hope of staying in the team was all but lost when he was concussed in Manly's win over North Queensland. There also remain concerns over Newcastle prop Saifiti, who looked likely to earn an Origin recall before hurting his calf against Parramatta on Friday. He would need a medical clearance to enter Blues camp on Monday, after he had been firming as an option to add to his two Origins off the bench. Crichton, meanwhile, is in the clear after copping a grade-one dangerous contact charge that carries with it a $3000 fine after Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldog copped a grade-two charge for putting his shoulder into Lindsay Collins' head, he would have been looking at a three-match ban. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. The Eels right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of the Knights - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there if squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday that Parramatta recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with halfback, and possible Blues teammate, Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." NSW will either name their team on Sunday night after Wests Tigers' clash with South Sydney, or hold off until Monday morning if injuries or judiciary issues intervene. Daley must make a call between incumbent Dylan Edwards and former captain James Tedesco at fullback, to go with his backline headaches. Moses and Jarome Luai are also jostling to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, after the pair took NSW to victory in Cleary's injury-enforced absence last year. A new captain will also need to be appointed, if Jake Trbojevic does indeed miss out. Zac Lomax has admitted he would be "devastated" to be overlooked for the State of Origin series opener, as NSW dealt with a rollercoaster day on selection eve. On a chaotic Saturday for the Blues, incumbent captain Jake Trbojevic was knocked out, Jacob Saifiti's calf left him in doubt and Stephen Crichton avoided a ban. Trbojevic's spot had already been in some doubt, but any hope of staying in the team was all but lost when he was concussed in Manly's win over North Queensland. There also remain concerns over Newcastle prop Saifiti, who looked likely to earn an Origin recall before hurting his calf against Parramatta on Friday. He would need a medical clearance to enter Blues camp on Monday, after he had been firming as an option to add to his two Origins off the bench. Crichton, meanwhile, is in the clear after copping a grade-one dangerous contact charge that carries with it a $3000 fine after Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldog copped a grade-two charge for putting his shoulder into Lindsay Collins' head, he would have been looking at a three-match ban. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. The Eels right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of the Knights - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there if squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday that Parramatta recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with halfback, and possible Blues teammate, Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." NSW will either name their team on Sunday night after Wests Tigers' clash with South Sydney, or hold off until Monday morning if injuries or judiciary issues intervene. Daley must make a call between incumbent Dylan Edwards and former captain James Tedesco at fullback, to go with his backline headaches. Moses and Jarome Luai are also jostling to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, after the pair took NSW to victory in Cleary's injury-enforced absence last year. A new captain will also need to be appointed, if Jake Trbojevic does indeed miss out. Zac Lomax has admitted he would be "devastated" to be overlooked for the State of Origin series opener, as NSW dealt with a rollercoaster day on selection eve. On a chaotic Saturday for the Blues, incumbent captain Jake Trbojevic was knocked out, Jacob Saifiti's calf left him in doubt and Stephen Crichton avoided a ban. Trbojevic's spot had already been in some doubt, but any hope of staying in the team was all but lost when he was concussed in Manly's win over North Queensland. There also remain concerns over Newcastle prop Saifiti, who looked likely to earn an Origin recall before hurting his calf against Parramatta on Friday. He would need a medical clearance to enter Blues camp on Monday, after he had been firming as an option to add to his two Origins off the bench. Crichton, meanwhile, is in the clear after copping a grade-one dangerous contact charge that carries with it a $3000 fine after Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldog copped a grade-two charge for putting his shoulder into Lindsay Collins' head, he would have been looking at a three-match ban. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. The Eels right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of the Knights - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there if squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday that Parramatta recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with halfback, and possible Blues teammate, Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." NSW will either name their team on Sunday night after Wests Tigers' clash with South Sydney, or hold off until Monday morning if injuries or judiciary issues intervene. Daley must make a call between incumbent Dylan Edwards and former captain James Tedesco at fullback, to go with his backline headaches. Moses and Jarome Luai are also jostling to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, after the pair took NSW to victory in Cleary's injury-enforced absence last year. A new captain will also need to be appointed, if Jake Trbojevic does indeed miss out.
The Advertiser
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Lomax makes his intentions clear for State of Origin
Zac Lomax admits he would be "devastated" to miss selection in the State of Origin series opener, declaring himself ready for NSW after his first game back from a foot injury. Lomax's proclamation came as NSW officials breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with star centre Stephen Crichton able to accept a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Lindsay Collins. Crichton was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for putting his shoulder into the head of Collins as he lay on the ground in Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldogs centre copped a grade-two charge, he would have been looking at a three-match ban which would have ruled him out of the first two Origins. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. Parramatta's right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there is squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday night that Eels recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with Parramatta halfback and possible Blues teammate Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." Amid the uncertainty as to Daley's selections, Lomax said one thing was clear: He will be physically ready for Origin, even if his foot injury has curtailed his game time so far this year. "Origin is between the ears for me and what I've experienced, it's obviously a different game of footy," Lomax said. "For me, you've just got to do your job. You've got the best players around you. That'll take care of itself. "It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that's footy." Zac Lomax admits he would be "devastated" to miss selection in the State of Origin series opener, declaring himself ready for NSW after his first game back from a foot injury. Lomax's proclamation came as NSW officials breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with star centre Stephen Crichton able to accept a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Lindsay Collins. Crichton was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for putting his shoulder into the head of Collins as he lay on the ground in Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldogs centre copped a grade-two charge, he would have been looking at a three-match ban which would have ruled him out of the first two Origins. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. Parramatta's right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there is squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday night that Eels recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with Parramatta halfback and possible Blues teammate Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." Amid the uncertainty as to Daley's selections, Lomax said one thing was clear: He will be physically ready for Origin, even if his foot injury has curtailed his game time so far this year. "Origin is between the ears for me and what I've experienced, it's obviously a different game of footy," Lomax said. "For me, you've just got to do your job. You've got the best players around you. That'll take care of itself. "It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that's footy." Zac Lomax admits he would be "devastated" to miss selection in the State of Origin series opener, declaring himself ready for NSW after his first game back from a foot injury. Lomax's proclamation came as NSW officials breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with star centre Stephen Crichton able to accept a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Lindsay Collins. Crichton was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for putting his shoulder into the head of Collins as he lay on the ground in Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldogs centre copped a grade-two charge, he would have been looking at a three-match ban which would have ruled him out of the first two Origins. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. Parramatta's right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there is squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday night that Eels recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with Parramatta halfback and possible Blues teammate Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." Amid the uncertainty as to Daley's selections, Lomax said one thing was clear: He will be physically ready for Origin, even if his foot injury has curtailed his game time so far this year. "Origin is between the ears for me and what I've experienced, it's obviously a different game of footy," Lomax said. "For me, you've just got to do your job. You've got the best players around you. That'll take care of itself. "It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that's footy."
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Lomax makes his intentions clear for State of Origin
Zac Lomax admits he would be "devastated" to miss selection in the State of Origin series opener, declaring himself ready for NSW after his first game back from a foot injury. Lomax's proclamation came as NSW officials breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with star centre Stephen Crichton able to accept a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Lindsay Collins. Crichton was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for putting his shoulder into the head of Collins as he lay on the ground in Canterbury's win over the Sydney Roosters. Had the Bulldogs centre copped a grade-two charge, he would have been looking at a three-match ban which would have ruled him out of the first two Origins. Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot. Parramatta's right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night's 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle - his first game in six weeks. The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal. Jacob Kiraz, Brian To'o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there is squeezed out of the centres. Playing a starring role in last year's come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again. "Of course I want to be back there. It's not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they're not in the team," Lomax said. "They'll be lying if (they say) they're not. Everyone wants to be in that team. "Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It's the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that's played there just wants to go back and do it again and again." Injuries meant that it wasn't until Friday night that Eels recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with Parramatta halfback and possible Blues teammate Mitch Moses. Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels' form could have hurt his selection chances. "A little bit," he said. "But what will be will be. It all happens the way it's supposed to happen. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be, but I feel like I've tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out. "I'm a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that's my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days." Amid the uncertainty as to Daley's selections, Lomax said one thing was clear: He will be physically ready for Origin, even if his foot injury has curtailed his game time so far this year. "Origin is between the ears for me and what I've experienced, it's obviously a different game of footy," Lomax said. "For me, you've just got to do your job. You've got the best players around you. That'll take care of itself. "It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that's footy."
