Tariq Sims insists he is nowhere near reaching his professional use-by date, adamant he has more to offer in the NRL despite being unwanted by St George Illawarra.
Sims remains uncontracted for next season, but has been linked to a move with Melbourne in 2023 provided there is enough salary cap space.
It comes after the 32-year-old backrower was told by the Dragons late last year his current deal would not be extended, despite starring in State of Origin only months earlier.
At the time, Sims was also told he was free to leave early if he could find security elsewhere, before ultimately sticking with the Dragons for this year.
Speaking publicly for the first time since he was linked to the Storm last month, Sims said on Thursday he was yet to have clarity on his future.
But one thing Sims wants to make clear is that he is not even close to feeling finished in the NRL.
"I'm nowhere near the end," Sims said.
"I'm probably the fittest and strongest that I've ever been in my whole career.
"It's no secret the start of my career was injury plagued, but that's given me longevity and (knowing) what I've needed to do and stay in the game.
"I've taken the licks with suspension as well, so they've sort of taught me to be able to adjust and last as long as I have in NRL.
"I'm firing on all cylinders to be brutally honest."
Sims also suggested he had now come to terms with the Dragons' decision, while still not completely ruling out the hope of staying next year.
"That's unfortunately the beauty of the beast sometimes," Sims said of the Dragons' position.
"You go out there and play as hard as you can for a team and when your time comes, your time comes.
"All I can control is how good on playing and what I'm doing for the boys and how I'm approaching training."
The forward's statement of intent comes after he was left out of the Dragons' team for the opening round to gain fitness in reserve grade.
He eventually returned the following week, and made clear on Wednesday that was a matter solely for coach Anthony Griffin.
Instead, he wants to turn the Dragons around from their four-match losing streak and in turn prove he belongs back in Origin with NSW come June.
"Absolutely I do. But you need to be playing good football," Sims said.
"I have made it no secret that the best players need to be picked because Origin is not an arena that you can go into if you've got any self-confidence issues.
"Freddie (Fittler) has made it very clear in previous Origins that he'd be picking from teams that are doing well.
"I wholeheartedly agree with that."
