The 15-year-old will play in the front row for the Blues in one of the lead up matches to State of Origin 1.

Matt goes into camp this weekend in Sydney in preparation for the clash. He is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. Taree Panthers nominated him for the award.

He was originally selected in a 40 strong squad that was whittled down to 26 and then 18. Matt wasn't too confident about his chances of making the final cut.

He was a member of the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews Shield (under 16) team in the recently completed season. However, the Knights didn't have a particularly successful campaign, finishing 11th. Matt reasoned that not playing semi-final football would impact on his chances of making the State squad.

But while the Knights struggled, Matt's form was outstanding. The shield runs for 11 weeks. Matt was named in the competition's team of the week on five occasions.

He said he now can't wait to have a crack at the Canetoads next Wednesday in what is usually a rousing start to the State of Origin program.

Matt's season started last September when he first began training for a spot with the Knights. This involved training three times a week in Newcastle. With the Harold Matts now over Matt's back to playing with his home club, Taree Panthers in the under 16s along with Taree City's under 18s.

Matt started with Panthers in the under sixes. He's been a regular member of the Group Three representative sides since under 13s although he was ineligible this year because of his commitments with the Knights.

He's already had one taste of inter-state football as he represented NSW PSSA when in primary school.

Matt will be staying with the Knights for at least two more years.

"They've just extended my contract,'' he explained.

In 2016 he'll move into the SG Ball (under 18s).

Long term he'd like to stay with the Knights.

"They're a good club,'' he said.