Daly Cherry-Evans says heeding the advice of Ted Lasso helped turn around his NRL finals campaign, as the Sydney Roosters veteran prepares to reunite with halves partner Sam Walker.
Walker remains on track to return for the Roosters in Friday night's preliminary final against the Dolphins, less than a month after tearing his syndesmosis.
The Roosters No.7 was back training and kicking last week, with coach Trent Robinson declaring on Saturday night he was "pretty confident" Walker would play.
Cherry-Evans was also briefly under a cloud following Friday night's 46-10 sem-final win over Cronulla, before he escaped with a $1000 fine for a trip on Shark Teig Wilton.
Friday night's clash will be Cherry-Evans' 378th NRL match and also the last if the Roosters are beaten, with the former Manly star the second-most capped player in the game's history.
It is fitting that Cherry-Evans will face the Dolphins, given his father Troy played hooker for Redcliffe.
Not that the 37-year-old is interested in any discussion about his looming NRL swan song after 16 seasons.
"I completely understand the sentiment, but they are just storylines," Cherry-Evans said of the Redcliffe link.
"At the end of the day we're playing a prelim.
"We actually don't care where we had to play it. We just wanted to give ourselves an opportunity and we have created that opportunity."
Cherry-Evans' finals form is also a storyline.
His game came under scrutiny in the Roosters' 19-12 week-one qualifying final loss to Penrith, which included him missing a field goal from right in front that would have made it 13-13.
He rebounded with a try and three assists in Saturday night's win.
"I have been pretty consistent on this message throughout my career. You won't find anyone harder on my own game than myself," Cherry-Evans said.
"It's as simple as that.
"But if I carry my divots, I'm then not only putting myself out but my team out.
"From the words of the great Ted Lasso, memory of a goldfish."
Walker's return will to push Cherry-Evans back to No.6, while Hugo Savala could be squeezed onto the bench after filling in at five-eighth and centre.
Walker has been a proven big-game player this year, being Queensland's best in his first two State of Origins during this year's series.
He could also hold the key to the Roosters' premiership hopes, after they walked away from Saturday's second-half domination confident they can challenge for the title.
"He's just been relentless in his recovery. It's been so great to watch him and to be honest it hasn't been surprising," Cherry-Evans said.
"He's an extremely competitive person.
"The team means a lot to him, the opportunity to play deep into finals means a lot to him. There's no surprise he is putting himself in the frame to play next weekend."
Fiit-again backrower Angus Crichton, who spent time in the casualty ward with Walker, also backed the half to make a big return.
"He's been great. I am so happy for him. He looks like he is in less pain than I am," Crichton said.
"He is running, kicking and doing everything at training. It's pretty impressive. He is a big part of this team and worked so hard like all of us have.
"He deserves it, so hopefully he can keep pushing it and come back."
