When an elated Christian Welch discovered he had been misdiagnosed with a season-ending knee injury, the Melbourne prop bought a dozen lottery tickets.
But Welch reckons he has finally hit the jackpot after earning Queensland selection for July 10's State of Origin series decider in Sydney.
Welch, 24, is buzzing after being called up to make his Origin debut in the Maroons' must-win game three clash at ANZ Stadium.
And no wonder - barely six weeks ago Welch had mentally accepted he faced 12 months on the sidelines.
After going down in the Storm's round 10 win over Wests Tigers in May, Welch was told by Melbourne medical staff that he had likely ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament for a second time.
He had also missed the 2017 premiership win due to a knee reconstruction.
Welch admitted he cried himself to sleep that night - but the next day he experienced tears of joy.
Remarkably further scans revealed only knee meniscus damage, cutting his sideline stint from up to a year to just four to six weeks.
"I didn't sleep that whole night. They (Melbourne) are usually pretty good with ACL stuff and diagnosing it," Welch said.
"Mentally I thought I had done it but then I had some great news the next day.
"I went and bought some lotto tickets. I was a very happy man."
Remarkably Welch was back on the field for Melbourne in three weeks.
Still, Welch was pinching himself after running out in the Maroons camp for the first time on Tuesday.
"It has been an interesting six weeks, doing my knee and thinking it was my ACL and that I'd be out for 12 months rehabbing," Welch said.
"But it's a dream come true to get the nod for next Wednesday."
Welch worked hard for an early return to the field but was still surprised to get the Origin III call from coach Kevin Walters on Sunday night.
"My dad was down in Melbourne for work so I picked him up and went for dinner and I kept looking at the phone all night and afternoon," he said.
"I was just about to drop my dad to his hotel and then Kevvie called through.
"My dad was doing fist pumps trying to not make any noise on the speaker.
"I was driving, luckily, because I think he (dad) would have steered off."
Walters backed Welch to make up for lost time in the decider after missing the first two games.
"He was one who probably should have played Origin I but he was injured and didn't have enough football into his legs for Origin II," he said.
"But everyone has seen what he is doing in clubland. He is one of those guys we just couldn't leave out."
