Cronulla Sharks halfback Chad Townsend believes he could handle the enormous pressure of making his NSW debut in the State of Origin decider on July 10.

Incumbent Blues No.7 Nathan Cleary is highly unlikely to play in the all-or-nothing third match at ANZ Stadium after sustaining a suspected syndesmosis injury in Sunday's series-squaring 38-6 demolition.

Mitchell Pearce has been touted as the frontrunner for the position, while Wade Graham has support to play in the halves after brilliantly deputising for Cleary in the second half versus Queensland.

MORE: Mark Carroll blasts 'human grub' Josh McGuire after late hit on James Maloney

But the somewhat unheralded Townsend is confident he can be the man to marshal NSW to glory despite his representative inexperience.

The 28-year-old has stood up for Cronulla in an injury-affected season, stamping his authority on games with more conviction and regularity than ever before.

Having extensively played alongside NSW five-eighth James Maloney at club level, Townsend says he's up for the challenge of partnering the veteran in Origin.

"I'd love to. I'd love the chance, I'd love to be considered ... It's the stuff dreams are made of, a decider in Sydney," Townsend told NRL Tonight.

"I feel like I'm playing some of the best football of my career right now. I've got a great relationship with Jimmy Maloney; we played plenty of times together, we won a grand final together.

"So I'd love the chance to play and we'll see what happens."

Getty Images https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sportal_com_au/de/b7/chad-townsend-sharks_ny1shtoafgqq1kchnugzm1p1j.jpg?t=-1979542214&w=500&quality=80

Townsend is ranked fourth in the NRL for try assists (10) and was equal-eighth in the Dally M Medal voting when the count went behind closed doors.

The Yarrawarrah junior boasts a huge fan in NSW advisor Greg Alexander, who has waxed lyrical about the controlling half during commentary for Fox League throughout the year.

And Alexander told Sporting News before Origin I that he would have full faith in Townsend to deliver the goods on the big stage.

"I'd be so confident in him doing the job, I really would," Alexander said in May.

"He reads the play so well, he's got a good pass, he can defend and he takes the right option almost every time.

"We are definitely chatting about Chad Townsend ... There are no chinks in his armour."

While he's crossing his fingers that Fittler takes a punt on him, Townsend realises there are a wealth of choices for NSW.

"[Fittler] has got a number of options at the moment. No doubt there'll be a heap of names getting pushed forward in the next week and a half," Townsend said.

"I'm sure they [NSW] will have a long, hard sit-down and decide."