From almost giving the game away in his teens to preparing for rugby league's more revered stage, J'maine Hopgood says "it's been a long journey" ahead of his Origin debut for Queensland in next week's series opener.
The Gooreng Gooreng man was named on the bench in Billy Slater's Queensland squad on Monday after impressing in Parramatta's forward pack since heading to the club for the 2022 season.
The 25-year-old spent two seasons with limited opportunity in Penrith's first grade setup before the move.
Speaking to media on Monday, Hopgood said he was waiting by the phone on Sunday evening anxious for the news whether he'd feature for his state in Sydney next Wednesday night.
"It was pretty emotional", to get the call up, he said.
"I was sort of just in a bit of shock and that's been in the last 12-24 hours for me. Just being here...dream come true."
It's a remarkable rise to the heights for the Hervey Bay product and once fringe player, and after almost quitting the game away after leaving school in his teens.
"I was running through the story to Billy (Slater) on the way here. 15 years old, dropped out of school, started my apprenticeship and just playing club footy for Caloundra," Hopgood said.
"I wasn't even going to play that club footy. I just wanted to focus on my apprenticeship at the time, to standing in here with all you, it's come a long way and it's been a long journey.
"All the years at Penrith toiling away through the grades. Even that as an 18-year-old playing SG Ball at Penrith I didn't even think I'd be playing first grade. To be standing here it's pretty surreal. So very special."
Hopgood is also soaking up the opportunity to grow the long list of First Nations stars to have represented the Maroons over the years.
He said "one of the bigger moments for me growing up" was Matt Bowen's golden point intercept try to pinch victory in golden point of game one 2005.
"It's very special (to represent my mob)," he said.
"Going off the back of the weekend (NRL Indigenous Round) and I was lucky enough to have my grandfather down to do a bit of a special jersey presentation for Parra.
"So they were (his family) all pretty excited when I told them last night.
"Touching on my grandfather, It was pretty special for me last night and to hear how proud he was with me. Not only for that jersey, but for this jersey as well."
It's not the first time Hopgood will enter the Maroons camp.
He said last year's experience in the extended squad for game three of the series will be a settler ahead of getting the opportunity to run out for his state.
"I guess it just makes you feel a bit more comfortable. So this time around, it's not my first time doing everything…I guess that's the most important thing…I already know most of the boys from last year's game and that's the biggest thing for the week, a sense of inclusion already," he said.
