He was brushed aside by Wests Tigers and snubbed by NSW, but Canberra Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin has been crowned the game's best five-eighth by his peers, despite it being his first full year in the position.
In the annual Rugby League Week players' poll published on Monday, Austin was voted in at five-eighth in their team of the year after 100 players were surveyed.
He secured 24 votes to claim the spot ahead of Johnathan Thurston (20), although the raging Dally M medal favourite easily won the vote in his preferred halfback spot.
It is deserved recognition for Austin, 24, who has been outstanding since switching to the Raiders this year.
With young halves Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses on their books, Austin was forced to play a utility role at the Tigers but has grabbed a chance to nail down one spot at Canberra with both hands.
His outstanding form prompted widespread calls for Blues coach Laurie Daley, ironically Canberra's greatest-ever five-eighth, to take a punt on him in State of Origin.
He has scored 13 tries in 19 games to be arguably been the NRL's buy of the year, and scored three tries for City Origin in his representative debut.
However, a possible suspension means Austin could miss a chance to rub salt into the wounds of his old Tigers teammates at Canberra Stadium next Monday night.
Austin was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Gavin Cooper in Saturday's 32-24 loss to North Queensland in Townsville.
He has built his game around footwork, speed and his unique knack to put himself in the right spot at the right time as arguably the game's best support player.
"A lot of my stuff this year has come from me putting myself in the right place at the right time," Austin told Fairfax Media last month.
"I realise you can't just wait and direct play and set up for plays, you have to watch them unfold and be there when they do otherwise you miss the chance.
"That's something I took away from the City Origin camp and I'd like to think it's evident in my play."
