Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell has credited his stunning post-State of Origin form to an enforced rest in his hometown of Taree after game three.
Mitchell is arguably the hottest player in the competition since the Origin series, scoring six tries and breaking 24 tackles in the past month alone.
He has also kicked 17 goals from 23 attempts to move to the top of the pointscorers list.
The NSW centre said he had been warned about the mental and physical toll of what was his maiden Origin campaign, and has noticed first-hand its effect on some players.
"I didn't realise how fast and how demanding it is on your body, to go out and play 80 minutes of that footy. It's just two teams going at it to kill each other," Mitchell told AAP.
"I see some of the boys now, you can see they're really flat coming through some of the games."
However Mitchell has seemingly gone the other way, starring for a Roosters side that have won five straight to move within sight of the minor premiership.
The 21-year-old said coach Trent Robinson's decision to send him home after Origin was crucial in the aftermath of the series win.
"I had a week off, went home and recharged, as I do every time I get an opportunity to go home," Mitchell said.
"I think it's just connecting with where I'm from and connecting with my roots in Taree.
"Any indigenous person would say it - you go back to your roots and feel at home. That's where my folks are, and it was mentally refreshing.
"Mentally I feel good and that's what's been good for me and my game."
Mitchell also paid tribute to attacking coach Jason Taylor, who doubles as Mitchell's kicking coach, for helping him become the fifth most accurate goalkicker this year.
Should he finish atop the pointscorer list, he will be only the second indigenous player after Johnathan Thurston to achieve the feat in the NRL era.
"I've been putting in so much work in goalkicking. I'd always be the last one out on the field doing what I've got to do," Mitchell said.
"Jason Taylor's been awesome for me. He's annoying, but he gets the job done. It's all about repetition. I get out there and he's always in my ear. It's obviously been working out."
Australian Associated Press
