NSW coach Craig Bellamy has no doubt Parramatta prop Tim Mannah will play Origin - the only question is when.

Mannah produced a man-of-the-match display from the bench against Bellamy's Storm on Friday night to further press his claims for Blues selection. ''I thought he played really well. I've been impressed with him for a while,'' Bellamy told The Sun-Herald.

''He's only a young guy and throwing him on that sort of stage too early can sometimes be detrimental, but he's certainly a very good player. I'm sure at some stage he'll be a representative player.''

It is understood Mannah and Manly counterpart Jason King have been mentioned as possible replacements for Josh Perry, who is in danger of losing his spot for Origin II.

Mannah's form also impressed Eels coach Daniel Anderson, who labelled the prop as ''probably our most consistent player this season''.

''He continues to impress,'' Anderson said. ''His teammates enjoy his contribution, as I do as a coach. He's developing a bit of a personality as well. He feels like he's really entrenched in the team and now he's starting to play in a very relaxed and natural manner.''

Anderson said Mannah was ready to take the step up to interstate level and hoped he was in the frame for selection.

Mannah made 209 metres from his 22 hit-ups against the Storm in the most brutal match of the season to date. Afterwards, Eels co-captain Nathan Hindmarsh was convinced Mannah was ready to handle anything the Maroons forward pack could throw at him.

''He should be seriously looked at,'' Hindmarsh said. ''He's been playing great and to be winning man-of-the-match awards off the bench, he's got to be doing something right.''

Mannah, a high-profile Christian, laughed when asked if the aggression displayed in Friday night's match - and Origin - contradicted his religious beliefs. ''When I'm on the field I respect my opponents,'' he said. ''It is an aggressive sport - it's a collision sport - so I'm not a softie in that regard.''

He presumed Friday's aggro-fuelled match against a Melbourne team that contained Queensland Origin players including Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis was a yardstick for what he might expect should he be selected for NSW.

''Melbourne has so many Queensland players it gave an idea of what Origin could be, though I know Origin football would be a different ball game. I'm just like every other player in the NRL - I want to play Origin.''

Hindmarsh said Mannah was the type of player NSW needed. ''He's played enough first grade, he was very good for City and he's been out best player all year - and he's coming off the bench,'' Hindmarsh said.

Parramatta's Timana Tahu, who also plays centre for NSW, agreed Mannah had proved he was ready for the step up with his strong performance for City Origin last month.

''I have no doubt if he was selected for Origin he wouldn't let the state down.''