Given he touches the ball more than anyone else at Parramatta, hooker Reed Mahoney considers himself something of an emotional gauge for his teammates.
"If I'm erratic and running around like a headless chook and screaming at everyone, it's going to have a ripple effect," he said.
"I try to be the calmest in the team and try and let nothing faze me. You're going to make mistakes or you're going to miss tackles, but just forget about it - look at it tomorrow when the game's finished.
"Just move on from it and be calm. The team's doing that really well. We're not fazed about what's next, which is good."
Mahoney's Zen-like approach has paid dividends this year, with the 23-year-old in seventh place on the Dally M Medal leader board.
The Eels will need him to be at his inspirational best on Friday when they face the wounded but dangerous Roosters at Bankwest Stadium.
The headgear-wearing No.9 has been tough and hard-working since he debuted in 2018, but his attacking game has continually evolved.
Eels v Roosters - Round 9
"I've got great blokes around me that give me the confidence to create things around the ruck," Mahoney said.
"You can see the size of my forwards and what they do for me, they give me quick play-the-balls. I worked really hard in the off-season.
"One, to get my body right and physically ready for the year. And two, my attacking out of dummy-half."
Born in Nambour, Mahoney's hot form has again catapulted him into the frame for Queensland State of Origin honours.
Mahoney splits the Bulldogs down the middle to send Gutherson in
Melbourne's Harry Grant is the front-runner to play hooker for the Maroons after his sensational debut off the bench in last year's decider, but selector Billy Slater told 2GB Radio earlier this week that Mahoney will "certainly be in the conversation" for selection.
"People are throwing it [selection talk] at me," Mahoney said.
"I've just got to sort of box it away. I've got to worry about winning Parramatta games and if we keep winning and playing consistent footy, then I'm going to be in the picture. But the only thing that I can control is playing good footy. That's all I'm worried about.
"I've learnt along the years to just ignore it. Maybe a couple of years ago I might have let it get to me a bit.
"This year I'm not fazed about it at all."
It's safe to say Mahoney isn't looking past the Roosters clash.
"There's a reason why they're still in the picture with all the injuries that they've had," he said. "They just keep producing great players."
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