Melbourne Storm big man Ryan Hoffman is hoping his performance in City-Country game leads to Origin recall Ryan Hoffman put his hand up for Origin selection with a man-of-the-match performance in the City-Country clash. RYAN Hoffman is hopeful his man-of-the-match City-Country performance can catapult him back into the NSW State of Origin rugby league team for the first time in five years. Despite being on the losing side as City went down 18-12, the Melbourne back-rower produced a barnstorming 80-minute display, clocking up almost 200 metres from 20 runs, earning praise from opposition coach Trent Barrett. Hoffman hasn't donned a Blues shirt since game three of the 2008 series when Queensland claimed a 16-10 win to wrap up a 2-1 series win. Match report: City-Country a game of two halves Last week the 29-year-old said he wasn't sure if he could force his way back into the selection frame, given the abundance of talent at NSW coach Laurie Daley's disposal including the likes of Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough. But he believes he has given himself a good chance after impressing in Coffs Harbour on Sunday, with one fantastic burst late in the game almost setting up James Tedesco with an outrageous offload for a try under the posts that would have tied the game. I was happy with what I did. I found Teddy (Tedesco) with the ball in the second half and we should have been a few points up," he said. You just do your job for the team and hopefully I did that. Daley said he'd been impressed with Hoffman's strong club form for the unbeaten Storm and the manner of his second-half performance for City. "Ryan was very good and had some strong carries and is also playing well for his club," Daley said. We have plenty of competition in the back-row and that is exactly what we are looking for across the team. Big Willie: Mason makes case for Origin selection Defending premiers Melbourne Storm do have one weakness, backrower Ryan Hoffman revealing he cannot stand 'cotton wool'. Barrett, who is one of Daley's NSW assistants, was full of praise for Hoffman. Ryan Hoffman was really, really good. I thought he was terrific," Barrett said. He's a very good player and was everywhere in the second half.