A personal vow to stop letting others down through his footy has paved the way for Jaydn Su'A to return to the Origin arena this year.
Since his last appearance for the Maroons in a heavy 50-6 loss to New South Wales in Game One of the 2021 series, a string of injuries which affected his form left Su'A in the state representative wilderness.
But after emerging as a leading contributor in a much-improved Dragons side this year, the 26-year-old has his confidence back and is pleased to be able to fulfill a personal promise to get the best out himself for those around him.
“I made a few promises to myself and just really wanted to stop letting people down, you know?" Su'A said.
Even when I probably wasn’t ... I felt like I was letting my family down and my partner down. I just wanted to allow them to experience these kinds of moments again with me.
Jaydn Su'A
“I've had a few injuries the last couple of years and obviously that's never nice, so to be back playing consistent footy and winning a few more games than we have in previous years, it’s nice.
"I felt that if could stay injury-free, I could possibly get back here and I'm just very happy that I've done that now.
“I think I have probably been the most consistent I've been in a long time.
“I guess [my selection is] a bit of a reward for all the hard work."
Su'A added that it's been a relief to get another chance in a Maroons jersey given how his last appearance went, in what ended up being a 2-1 series loss for Queensland.
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“I definitely wanted to get back to this arena and leave my mark in a way,” Su'A said.
“I felt that the last game I played, it wasn't a very good mark; probably the game left a mark on me.
“I am looking forward to it now and I’m going to enjoy the week in camp, going to enjoy it day-by-day."
The Logan Brothers junior’s selection for the series opener at Accor Stadium in Sydney came despite competition from of a couple of other form players, including his close mate David Fifita.
Fifita has laid on nine line break assists in as many games this year in addition to averaging 150 run metres for the Titans.
“Dave is one of my good mates, he actually texted me [when I was selected] and just wished me luck; that just shows what kind of person he is,” Su’A said.
“It's always love with him.
“Obviously he's not here and it would be burning him and I'm sure he'll go away and work on whatever he needs to work on.
"I'm sure we'll see him in a Maroons jersey soon.”
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