These days Cameron Munster is one of the first players picked for Queensland.
But the playmaker still considers himself lucky to simply be playing for NRL club Melbourne after going off the rails in late 2017.
At just 24, Munster has emerged as a senior figure in a new-look Maroons side ahead of Wednesday's State of Origin series opener, narrowly missing out on the captaincy to halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans.
Yet not so long ago Munster's career hung in the balance.
The five-eighth was sent home from the Kangaroos camp during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup for reportedly getting into a fight with teammate Ben Hunt.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was furious.
But it paled in comparison with what awaited at NRL club Melbourne.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy delivered a spray that almost registered on the Richter scale before the Storm threatened to show the rising NRL star the door.
"I was going to be sacked to be completely honest with you," Munster said.
"I won't sugar coat it. After 2017 I was pretty much shown the door but Bellyache (Bellamy) showed faith in me.
"He said 'I like him, I want to keep him'. He's the main reason I am there - I am forever in his debt."
Munster still seemed to be pinching himself over the "sliding doors" moment as he prepared for the Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium.
"Everyone calls him (Bellamy) my dad. I can't thank him enough for what he has done for me," Munster said.
"I owe everything to Melbourne. That was the reason I decided to stay for the next four years (Munster re-signed in November)."
Munster said he had come out the other side of that dark period a better player and person.
He has cut down on the booze, checked his attitude and kept only to a tight group of friends.
"You can't trust everyone. I have focused on who my really close friends are and close family," Munster said of his new outlook.
"I have taken a step back and changed my ways in everything that I have done.
"Being from a country town like Rockhampton you can get away with a lot more, be a bit of a larrikin and a silly bugger.
"I just wasn't aware of my surroundings. When I was out and about I just didn't care, my attitude probably stunk so that's something I have really cleaned up."
A rejuvenated Munster has now set his sights on his Origin halves combination with new skipper Cherry-Evans.
They inspired an 18-12 Origin III victory last year the first time they played alongside each other.
"I am really excited (by the halves combination). We played alongside each other in game three and got the win - we need to do that again next week," Munster said.
