LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Reece Walsh, the rising star of Rugby League, entered the State of Origin series with high hopes of stepping into the shoes of James Tedesco as the Kangaroos' fullback.
However, in a twist of fate, Dylan Edwards has surged ahead in the race, leaving Walsh in his dust after a tough loss in the Origin decider.
Edwards, who has now outshone Tedesco as the Blues' fullback, seems destined to claim the coveted spot as Australia's Test No.1 by the end of the year.
His standout performances in Game 2 and the decider at the iconic MCG have solidified his position as the man to beat.
Meanwhile, poor Walsh, just 21 years old, faced a challenging Origin series where he struggled to make an impact.
Knocked out early in Game 1 and stifled by a struggling forward pack in the following matches, Walsh couldn't find his rhythm.
Costly errors in Games 2 and 3, including a missed opportunity to stop a crucial try from the opposition, further dampened his performance.
In the rough and tumble world of Rugby League, Walsh's setback at the hands of Edwards serves as a reminder that success in this sport is not given, but earned through grit and determination.
As the saying goes, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
Time will tell if Walsh can bounce back from this blow and reclaim his spot among the Rugby League elite.