For NRL rising star Latrell Mitchell to go forward, Canterbury skipper James Graham reckons the Sydney Roosters youngster may have to take a few steps back.
Mitchell - just 19 - has been named on an extended bench for the Roosters' Anzac Day blockbuster against St George Illawarra after being rested last round.
Mitchell's form has slipped, culminating with him being hooked from the field in their 32-8 round six loss in Brisbane.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson opted to give a frustrated Mitchell last week off to spend Easter with family in Taree.
"I imagine he is a bit frustrated at the minute but at that young age you probably don't know what is best for you," Graham told Fox Sports' NRL 360 program.
"There is a bigger picture here.
"The most important thing for him and the Roosters is that he is playing his best football come August, September and hopefully October.
"He may have to take a few steps backward to go forward."
Graham has backed Mitchell to learn from his setback and set a course for greatness.
"I think he is on the path to greatness and this will be a minor glitch in what is going to be a great career," he said.
"Sometimes you need things like this, this little setback can help spur him onto bigger and better things.
"It's not often a player's career is red carpet all the way - this is an important learning curve in his career."
Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods said Mitchell may have become frustrated after entering this year with a sudden target on his back following a stellar 2016 debut.
"He has become targeted because he is such a great player but you need to bring a few more attributes to your game," Woods said.
"It's probably good Trent Robinson has told him to get away, calm down because he is probably over-thinking things.
"When he comes back he can then work on the little things on his game that can take him to another level."
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