By his own admission, Queensland winger Corey Oates likes to see the fun side of life.
But the 21-year-old says he toned his personality down early in the build-up to last month's State of Origin opener in Sydney.
Ahead of his Origin debut for the Maroons, the Brisbane youngster says a desire to make the right impression led him to put his lighter side at bay.
"I was pretty quiet the first three or four days, I didn't want to come out like an idiot like I am at the Broncs," Oates told AAP.
"That's just who I am, I'm just a happy person, love having a bit of fun but in the Origin camp I was very quiet.
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"That was what Darius (Boyd) kept reminding me about, he just told me to be myself towards the end and he said that's the way you get ready for the game.
"He said don't change anything."
Those words of advice from his club teammate allowed Oates to let his real personality out a bit more before the Maroons 6-4 game one win over the Blues.
Back in the Origin squad for the potentially decisive game two at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday, Oates admits he's still some way from fully relaxing among his teammates however.
"I'm still pretty quiet now but you just can't believe you're playing with all these unbelievable players, best players in the world some of them ... it doesn't really kick in until you look around and realise who is next to you and that," he said.
"I still can't believe I'm here and every moment of this week I'm gonna remember."
