Just don’t tell that to Joe.

The 19-year-old Dragon is hot favourite to take out the award when it is announced in a few days’ time, but Ingles is typically downbeat about his chances.

“There have obviously been things said but I’ve just been waiting and not really worrying about it too much,” Ingles said.

Whether he wins the award or not, it’s been a remarkable year for Joe Ingles.

Since his debut for the Dragons last September, Ingles has worked closely with coach Shane Heal to take his game to the next level.

“Obviously with me wanting to get to the next level after the NBL and Shane having played at all the next levels, it’s been great,” Ingles said.

“He knows what I need to do to get there and what I need to do on a daily basis to move up another level. Just having his knowledge and experience there really drills home what I need to do.”

“Hammer’s given me a few challenges throughout the season and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of coming through with the goods.”

But Ingles knows just how tough this business can be.

“When all the firings were happening early in the season I realised just how cut-throat it is and that you have to perform every day to be able to keep your job,” he said.

The Dragons will be looking for Ingles to continue his stellar run in Thursday’s all-important showdown at the Snakepit.

“I haven’t played in any finals so I’ll be treating it as just another game,” Ingles said.

“We all definitely know it’s an important game so we’re doing everything we can to get ready for it.”

“We’re running through a lot of Cairns’ game at training and looking at how we want to defend plays and how we don’t want to do stuff. We will definitely be 100% prepared and ready to do it, we just have to perform on the night and be ready to step up.”