James Tedesco will urge Sydney Roosters players to not let history repeat and have tensions boil over in their grudge match against Latrell Mitchell and South Sydney.
Mitchell's wild high shot that ended both he and Joey Manu's 2021 seasons early has remained the talking point of the summer, with seven months of waiting for Friday's game at Accor Stadium.
Manu also spent time in hospital following the August hit, with metal plates still in his cheekbone seven months on after suffering a depressed facial fracture.
But the Roosters are wary of not creating a powder keg of emotions in what is already the biggest rivalry in the game.
In the same round last year the Roosters made a point of seeking revenge on Rabbitohs lock Jai Arrow, after he manhandled a knocked-out Tedesco in the 2020 State of Origin decider.
The night of fury ended poorly for the Tricolours last March, as they were beaten 26-16, penalised out of the game and Daniel Suluka-Fifita was sin-binned for punching Arrow.
"We might have to speak about that," Roosters captain Tedesco said.
"Last year we got too emotional going into this game and we didn't play very well and we weren't disciplined.
"There has been a bit going on the last couple of years with Souths. When we bring the emotion into it, it doesn't work in our favour."
Manu is expected to overcome a leg complaint for the clash, while Sitili Tupouniua (concussion) and Connor Watson (shoulder) are expected to play.
Both Mitchell and Manu have insisted they have made up since the high shot, while Tedesco has also since broken bread with his NSW teammate.
But it would be hard to erase the memories of August 29 completely.
The confused and upset look on Manu's face as he followed his former teammate after the hit became the image of the night, along with the images of him in hospital and Mitchell throwing the ball at rivals after later scoring a try.
And whether the Roosters like it or not, emotion will be hard to avoid in the heat of battle.
The Tricolours know Mitchell is one of the most passionate players in the NRL, wearing his heart on his sleeve with almost every action.
He has also been adamant that he does not need to change his aggressive style, despite copping a total of 10 games in suspension last year.
"If we buy into it probably fires him up more," Tedesco said.
"We don't want to do that. If you give him that energy it probably works into his favour.
"That will probably be up to me on the field to control emotions as a team.
"Because in the heat of the moment it can get firey ... And that can be detrimental for us."
