Canterbury enforcer Dylan Napa admits he needs to lift with State of Origin on the horizon, claiming he's let his side down during the opening salvos this NRL season.
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The fiery Queenslander, while rarely satisfied with his form, says he hasn't been happy with himself in 2019.
He's had his setbacks and distractions since landing at Belmore following his exit from the Sydney Roosters, including an ankle injury which kept him out for three weeks.
Napa has made 106 metres per game this year, his best season average since 2016, according to Fox Sports Stats.
All of this playing an average 42 minutes.
But he says he needs to take some responsibility for the manner in which the Bulldogs have been slow out of the blocks, allowing opposition sides to build early leads.
"I haven't started games how I wanted to," Napa said ahead of Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Belmore Sports Ground.
"They've got a few points on before we can really get into the game, I feel like it's somewhere where I can improve the team.
"I'm not satisfied, but to be honest I'm probably never satisfied with my game."
When asked if he needed to lift with Origin just two weeks away, Napa said: "Absolutely.
"I don't really play the game for personal accolades, but it's something I want to be a part of, it's State of Origin. No more needs to be said about that."
Napa has a golden chance to prove himself against the Storm front-row of Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona on Sunday.
His respect for the Storm pair is palpable and he says Bromwich has been setting the standard for his position for several years.
"I look into it," Napa said when asked if the battle was personal.
"I don't have a Jesse Bromwich picture on a dartboard at home.
"But I respect their game a lot, I'm a student of the game. I try to learn off the other front-rowers and he's one that I have looked at over the last few years."
Australian Associated Press
