Wests Tigers playmaker Jock Madden insists his own future is not on his mind despite Sunday's clash with Cronulla looming as his last guaranteed audition in 2022.
Madden is off contract at the end of this year, having played just five games for the Tigers since making his debut in Magic Round last season.
The 22-year-old is no guarantee to reclaim a spot in the halves at any point, with Jackson Hastings to return from suspension in round six against Parramatta.
The Tigers also have Adam Doueihi due back from knee injury midway through the season, while Tyrone Peachey is occupying the utility role.
It means only more injuries or a current half getting axed would see a Madden return, but the Scone junior is adamant his contract is not something he is thinking about.
"It does cross your mind (that Hastings will be back next week) but I don't let it affect my performance at all," Madden said.
"I want to put my best foot forward each week. I want to go in with a good mindset and concentrate on what I have to do for the team each week."
Madden was linked to Canberra at the start of this year, and could have to move elsewhere for a chance with Luke Brooks, Hastings and Doueihi all signed until the end of 2023.
"I want to play first grade, as a young kid growing up all I wanted to do was play first grade, Madden said.
"I'm getting to do that now and I want to keep my spot in the first grade team week in week out. Things like that will sort themselves out down the track."
Madden said he had been quick to rebound from his spilled ball at the end of last week's 8-6 last-minute loss to Gold Coast, having received support from Benji Marshall afterwards.
Madden and teammates also insisted the Tigers were neither at the point of bonding sessions to lift spirits or honesty sessions to try and turn the tide.
At 0-4 after the first month, a loss on Sunday would make for the worst start in the club's history and heap further pressure on embattled coach Michael Maguire.
Tigers players last year took to a pub lunch when spirits dropped to turn things around, but players insisted on Tuesday that training was the only ale required.
"It's round four," Madden said.
"Look at Manly last year, look where they ended up finishing and at the start of the year they lost four in a row.
"We're not looking at (those kind of meetings) at all.
"It's better now. We're a very close group. Results haven't shown on the field but we have stuck by one another."
AAP
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