Valentine Holmes and North Queensland have scored their third win of the season at home over Newcastle but it was the match-up against his State of Origin teammate that had the Cowboys' centre buzzing.
Holmes and fellow Queensland centre Dane Gagai's pulsating clash was the highlight of a tough and gritty 18-16 victory for the Cowboys on Saturday.
Both led their sides with over 200 run metres, Holmes snagging a match-sealing try assist while Gagai's herculean 12 tackle busts, 23 runs and zero missed tackles was a standout for the Knights.
For Holmes, part of his transition to the centre position last year was modelled on the style of play Gagai produces each week.
"He carries, he gets involved a lot for his team and he's infectious when he runs getting tackle breaks, offloads and good metres," Holmes told AAP.
"That's something I've wanted to be good at and the best centre out there - not only competing with teammate Peta (Hiku), but the best player out on the field.
"To be able to play against him and play alongside him for Queensland is pretty special."
The pair put Queensland coach Billy Slater on notice with their performances just six weeks out from game one in Adelaide.
Slater has a raft of previous and up-and-coming talent at his disposal for the 2023 series, but Holmes and Gagai will be near-locks at centre given their Origin-winning pedigree.
Gagai said his focus remains on taking Newcastle to a top eight spot at the end of the season, but knows there are plenty of players hunting for a Queensland call-up in 2023.
"There's a lot a lot of Queenslanders that are playing some good footy and especially boys that haven't debuted for Queensland," Gagai told AAP.
"But you've got to earn the jersey and that starts at club footy."
"My focus is always going to be helping out where I can here at Newcastle and playing my best because at the end of the day, I want to be playing finals."
