Latrell Mitchell is lighting up the NRL, and Brisbane winger Corey Oates can't wait for the Broncos to take on the Sydney Roosters this Friday.
The NSW and Australia centre was again front and centre in the Roosters' 30-24 win over Canberra last Sunday, scoring two tries and recovering from a groin complaint to help the defending premiers to victory.
With Mitchell subsequently cleared of any serious injury, the next team in the in-form back's sights is Brisbane.
The Broncos rediscovered some form with a 26-10 win over an undermanned Manly last Friday but Oates knows a tougher challenge lies ahead against the table-topping Roosters.
"The form he's in this year is career-best for him so we're going to have to do a job on him after we do a job on their forwards," Oates said of Mitchell.
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"That just proves that they've got massive strike power everywhere across the board.
"Everyone's going to have to be on their game Friday night."
Where Brisbane may have an edge is energy.
While Mitchell and winger Daniel Tupou (neck) have been cleared of serious injury, both were hurt in the win against Canberra, while a short turnaround means representative forward Boyd Cordner (concussion) is facing a race to prove his fitness.
Oates, who has nine tries in as many games this year, doesn't think the extra two days of recovery will give his team an advantage against the Roosters.
"They're going to turn up no matter what," the Queensland Origin winger said.
"I'm expecting a very tough battle there and I think it's going to be just a cracking game."
