Curtis Scott says no-one needs to have any doubts about his ability to handle tough on-field situations in light of his dust-up with Manly's Dylan Walker.
In that round 11 loss to the Sea Eagles, Scott let the niggling get to him and threw a punch. It cost him a two-match suspension and put Walker out for six weeks with a fractured eye socket.
Some might think Scott doesn't have the temperament for pressure games, and therefore could be a liability for Storm heading into Friday night's qualifying final against South Sydney.
"What happened… [v Manly]... I didn't do any of that because I was under pressure, it was just the way the game went and the way I reacted to what was happening on the field," Scott told NRL.com.
"It's not anything to do with pressure or my personality. Yes, it was another learning curve for me.
"Obviously I went through a finals series last year. I know Craig [Bellamy] has full trust in me under pressure.
"The way we train and everything we do in the pre-season, I wouldn’t be on the field if Craig or the boys didn't have trust in me.
"I'm out there for a reason and I back myself every game. I don't have any self-doubts when I'm on the field.
"When it comes to pressure, some people embrace it and some fade away. I think I'm the type of the person who tries to embrace it.
"Once I'm on the field I'm in my true element. I love playing. That's where I feel most comfortable."
He might not feel so at ease on Friday night as he opposes Greg Inglis for the first time – injuries to both men keeping them apart in the past two years.
"Obviously I'm looking forward to it. He's done so much in the game and he's such a big part of the Rabbitohs side," Scott said.
"If I want to be the player I think I can be, then I have to verse these people. It can only make me a better player so the challenge is up to me."
Scott, who turns 21 two weeks after the grand final, was part of the Telstra Premiership-winning side of 2017 over the Cowboys.
"It's such a big atmosphere. The game goes to a whole new level… everyone is playing harder for longer," Scott said.
"You have to step up. We're doing it a bit tougher this year but we're still here and will be ready for Souths.
"They have a pretty big side but so do we. It will be a battle through the middle and on the edges – no-one gets a break."
Scott gets nervous before every game, not just a finals match.
"But it's good nerves – I'm not stressing or anything like that," the 20-year-old said.
"I do a similar routine before every game but I don't have any superstitions.
"I just turn up, whack my footy boots on, and away I go."
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