Burt states case with 24 points

Parramatta 44 North Queensland 14

It speaks volumes about the evasiveness of Luke Burt that he threw himself into representative contention, then out, and back in, in one night.
Burt scored 24 points as the Eels monstered the understrength Cowboys, then afterwards admitted the logjam at fullback would make it hard for him to finally score a rep jumper. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want it any less.

"I guess it's hard with all the great fullbacks," he said. "I don't really think about that, [but] I'm only 25 going on 26, so I'd love to get the chance."

On another dark night for the Cowboys on the first weekend of their annual State of Origin drain, five-eighth Ashley Graham suffered another potentially serious injury. But not even that could overshadow Burt's haul, which included two tries and eight goals.

Asked if he was in the best form of his career, Burt, who has 143 first-grade games to his name, said: "It's the first time I've played fullback consistently. I'm enjoying my football more than I ever have, so in my eyes, yeah."

Burt, who holds the club record for points scored in a match - twice notching 28 - may not be as far away from rep football as he thinks. Even though the likes of Anthony Minichiello, Brett Stewart, Brett Hodgson and Luke Patten are ahead of him on the pecking order at fullback, NSW selectors could do worse than pick him on the wing.

Should kicking become an issue, Burt would be possibly more dangerous than Hazem El Masri with the ball and his eight from nine with the boot ensured he remained not that far behind the Bulldogs winger in the goal-kicking stakes - at least on current form.

Eels coach Michael Hagan said: "He's playing out of his skin at the moment."