Latrell Mitchell has welcomed the challenge given to him by South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou and conceded he has to get himself more involved if the Rabbitohs are to be a premiership threat.
Mitchell will bring up 150 NRL games on Friday when Souths take on Canterbury with Demetriou's words still ringing in his ears.
The Souths coach was frustrated at Mitchell's level of involvement in last week's 18-10 loss to Melbourne in which the 25-year-old had only three first-half runs.
Mitchell is used to a cattle prod - he will enter two of his prized Limousins from his Taree farm in the Sydney Royal Easter Show - and said the jolt from Demetriou had got him ready to fire against the Bulldogs.
"I think instead of chasing our tails in the back end, we should be starting the game early," Mitchell said.
"For me personally, I know I've got to get hands-on a bit earlier in the game and sort of flip the mentality.
"He (Demetriou) always knows the right thing to say and I know how to take it on the chin.
"It's definitely a special relationship that we get to have as coach and player.
"I'm going to put my best foot forward and it's a job we love to do and we've got to start making it enjoyable for ourselves."
Mitchell's output as a No.1 has often been analysed in the context of other fullbacks in the NRL.
He might not match them for workrate but he does for game-breaking moments.
After a 2-3 start with the Bunnies, you could be mistaken for thinking his confidence could have taken a dip, but not so.
"It's lonely at the top," he quipped.
"I have got a great support network here and the boys are like brothers and it is a family orientation that I love to have.
"This is why I am at the Rabbitohs."
Mitchell, meanwhile, scoffed at the idea of meeting the teenager who racially abused him at a game against Penrith last month.
"That's a matter in the NRL's hands, I want to focus on footy," Mitchell said.
"It's not my problem, there's people involved and I guess I should focus on myself and my role here and not focus my energy on that.
"It does (hurt) but it is what it is and that process will take (care of itself)."
