All of the talk during the week has been about the incoming South Sydney left centre, but the three-quarter currently on their right also goes pretty well.

Campbell Graham, at a time when all performances are being assessed through the prism that is State of Origin selection, scored a hat-trick to go to the top of the NRL try-scoring leaderboard. It is a timely haul, coming on the same day that Tom Trbojevic was again sidelined, this time with an adductor injury.

The race to replace Trbojevic in the NSW side, should he be unavailable, is a hot field. Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Joseph Suaalii and Siosifa Talakai all have claims. However, Graham is making an irresistible case. Coming up against the ladder-leading Broncos, on their home turf, he finished with three tries, one try assist, one line break, one line-break assist and 14 runs for 137 metres in his side’s 32-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

“I am just trying to block it out at the moment, it’s all sort of background noise,” Graham told the Nine network when asked about the Origin selection speculation.

“I know the best thing I can do to earn myself an opportunity is to play good footy for Souths. I’m trying to block it out at the moment, just focus on week to week and getting the result for Souths. If I just focus on my job, it puts me in the best state for those conversations.

“It was a pleasing result. I knew I would have my hands full today against Herbie Farnworth, who is playing great footy.

“It’s a game I wanted to get up for and I thought the boys laid the foundation perfectly and us lads on the right edge were able to execute our shapes, which was pleasing.”

Campbell’s coach reckons his charge is ready for higher honours.

“He’s doing what he needs to do to put himself in the frame for rep honours,” Jason Demetriou said.