It has been some sort of eight weeks for Ryley Jacks.
After playing the season opener against the Bulldogs he was sent back to the Queensland Cup, where he spent the next month working hard and wondering when his next opportunity may come.
That moment arrived in Round 6 against the Knights and since then, he has done everything in his power to hold onto that No.7 jersey.
His grip strengthened after last week's two-try, rock-solid effort in which Jacks scored the first and last try in a 50-10 win over the Warriors.
The 25-year-old has grown in confidence with each passing week and each victory.
"I've felt more comfortable and more confident the more games I have played," Jacks said.
"Playing Queensland Cup at the start of the years doesn't really prepare you for NRL, the pace is next level. I just needed to get back in that rhythm of first grade footy but now after three games I am starting to get confident.
"You've just got to prepare yourself at training and get in the rhythm of playing fast footy which will hopefully get you ready for the weekend.
"After playing three games you get confident and into the rhythm of the game. I think it will be better this week so hopefully we will be able to go from there."
This week Jacks will aim to steer the Storm side around Jubilee Stadium against the in-form, top-of-the-table Dragons.
The Red V have flown through the opening eight rounds, dropping just one game and putting up their best attack and defence in the competition.
Former Storm Premiership player Gareth Widdop and boom recruit Ben Hunt have been at the forefront of the Dragons success.
"Their halves are playing unreal at the moment and their attack is probably the best in the comp so our defence is going to have to be on this weekend," Jacks said.
"Our attack has been good over the last three weeks so our big focus is definitely on our defence up against Hunt and Widdop."
