James Maloney showed why he would not look out of place in a NSW jersey after playing a leading hand in the Sydney Roosters' 24-2 NRL dismantling of Melbourne at Allianz Stadium on Monday night.
The Roosters' right edge was outstanding with five-eighth Maloney having a hand in two of his side's tries and setting up another.
While Mitchell Aubusson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were also outstanding, it was Maloney's performance that would have given Blues coach Laurie Daley food for thought after his side lost State of Origin I last week.
The Storm took the field without Queensland fullback Billy Slater while their other Origin contingent of Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk failed to make a dent on the contest.
The Roosters flew out of the blocks and after Mahe Fonua coughed up a Maloney bomb, Shaun Kenny-Dowall found space to score on the right edge in the second minute after some excellent lead up work from Aubusson.