He's the 21-year-old NRL debutant who's been tasked with filling the boots of one of rugby league's greatest playmakers.
North Queensland rookie Kyle Laybutt gets his chance in the Cowboys halves against ladder leaders Melbourne on Saturday in place of Johnathan Thurston, one of nine players from the two clubs away on State of Origin duty.
He says he won't fall into the trap of trying to emulate the masterful game of the man he grew up idolising before taking up the role of understudy.
"It's unbelievable. He's obviously the best player I've ever seen and to have him helping me, you've got to pinch yourself sometimes," said Laybutt on Wednesday.
"(Thurston) doesn't take private sessions but he's someone who'll tip you up if you're doing something wrong, compliment you if you're doing something right or just give you little cues to help with things."
Laybutt was ready to debut last weekend against Parramatta in Darwin but Thurston's return from his shoulder injury put that on hold for a week.
Laybutt described Thurston's starring role in that 32-6 win as a clinic.
But he's backing his skills honed with the Queensland Cup's Townsville Blackhawks.
"I'm obviously not going to go out there and try and play a Johnathan Thurston game," he said.
"I'm just going to play my role and try to do it the best of my ability.
"I think I kick well, so I hope to have a good kicking game there with Cootey (fullback Lachlan Coote) and Ray (Thompson).
"But also my organisation. I better be on the job there and help the boys, leading them around the park."
Laybutt will start at five-eighth with Thompson at halfback in the absence of Queensland Origin stars Thurston and Michael Morgan.
The Storm will also be lacking starpower, minus seven top players through Origin or injury, including Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
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