LATE bloomer David Tyrrell has vowed to make the most of a potential opportunity to play State of Origin football.

The 26-year-old South Sydney enforcer never thought he would have a chance of playing for Queensland despite his premiership-winning deeds with the Rabbitohs.

But selection in the 18-man Maroons’ emerging squad, which gathered in Brisbane at the weekend, has Tyrrell a step closer to making an Origin debut.

“It’s a massive honour just being in this squad,” Tyrrell told The Courier-Mail.

‘PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE’

“I never really thought I’d probably ever be here, but here I am and I’m going to make the most of it.”

At home at either prop or in the second row, Tyrrell is among a handful of players vying for the Queensland forward spot vacated by his former Souths teammate Ben Te’o, who has shifted to English rugby union club Leinster.

Tyrrell could also easily be making a living via the 15-man code, having played it at school for Iona College.

But league was always going win out, with the former Wynnum-Manly Seagulls talent saying he “hated” rugby union.

media_camera Dave Tyrrell doesn’t remember much about the 2014 grand final after getting knocked out. Pic: Phil Hillyard

“It was just a bit boring — I regret nothing,” he said.

And the Maroons selectors are likely to have similarly few regrets if they throw Tyrrell into the Origin cauldron this year.

Queensland assistant coach Michael Hagan felt Tyrrell was ready made for the Origin arena.

“I enjoy the way he plays,” Hagan said.

“He works hard and he’s very tough. There’s a genuine opportunity for someone to come in at some stage in this year’s series.”

Tyrrell also has aspirations at club level, with the Rabbitohs out to defy the departures of Te’o and English inspiration Sam Burgess to win back-to-back premierships.

“Sam was a massive contributor to what we achieved. He’s a great player and a big loss to us,” Tyrrell admitted.

“We know we have to work extremely hard now that teams are going to be coming for us. We’ll be fired up.”

If Souths do make another grand final, Tyrrell hopes to have a better recollection of it after being knocked out in last season’s decider after a head clash with Canterbury’s James Graham in the 68th minute of the Rabbitohs’ 30-6 win

“I was a bit patchy after the game and had to catch up on a few things — I wasn’t feeling too great and couldn’t celebrate properly with the boys,” he said.

Tyrrell holds no grudge against Graham, whose habit of leading with his head also led to Burgess fracturing his cheekbone and eye socket in the opening tackle of the final.

“It’s just one of those things that happen in a game,” he said.

Originally published as Tyrrell vows to take Origin chance