Melbourne try-scoring machine Josh Addo-Carr has revealed an honesty session with Craig Bellamy - when told he was being too much of a lair - is behind his stellar 2017 NRL rise.
Addo-Carr was still pinching himself as he entered NSW City camp this week after establishing himself as one of most exciting finishers in the NRL following his off-season switch from the Wests Tigers.
Nicknamed The Fox, AddoCarr was bluntly told by Storm coach Bellamy that his penchant for post-try celebrations were a poor reflection on his attitude and he would have none of it under his watch.
"I was doing a lot of try celebrations at the Tigers," Addo-Carr said ahead the City-County clash at Mudgee on Sunday.
"I think he saw it as a selfish thing and I think the Storm are all about the team.
"I really took it on board and it's made me a better person and a better player."
Like many before him, the 21-year-old Addo-Carr has gone to another level under Bellamy.
After seven NRL rounds he has crossed for seven tries to be the fourth-highest try-scorer in the competition behind teammate Suliasi Vunivalu, James Roberts and Jordan Rapana.
After a one-year stint at the Tigers, he went to the Victorian capital with few guarantees and revealed he didn't even expect to be playing first grade in round one.
While not wanting to criticise his former employers, when he's asked if his career was heading in the direction he was hoping at the Tigers, he said: "Probably not".
"It was very important, I took a step out of my comfort zone and I think (the move to Melbourne) is the best decision I've ever made," he said.
Not only has he found his home in Melbourne, he has also become a favourite of fans and commentators.
He revealed his nickname was given to him by his mother as a family tribute and was overjoyed that it was being embraced.
"I love it mate. My mum's been calling me The Fox since I was a little kid, since I touched a footy. Everyone's calling me Fox now so I love it.
"It's my great grandfather's last name so it's just passed down. Mum was always yelling out 'go Fox'.
"It's good man. When Vossy (Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss) was saying my nickname on TV it felt pretty special."
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