Beau Fermor had a box office seat to Patrick Carrigan's five star show in maroon at Wednesday night's Origin decider.
It's why the Titans forward is encouraging the Broncos enforcer to take the week off to rest up as the pair return to their respective NRL clubs in readiness to face off in the Macca's Local Derby this Saturday night.
Cheekily suggesting his Queensland teammate deserves to be spelled after a stirring 67 minutes which all but determined the Wally Lewis Medal, Fermor was in awe of the Brisbane lock's performance to help bring the shield back to the sunshine state.
"I was just talking to Patty over breakfast and suggesting he can have a week off. He's had a big series, so hopefully he has a little rest on the weekend and then he can start playing again next week," Fermor said.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 18 -
home Team
Titans
15th Position
away Team
Broncos
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Whilst it's unclear yet whether coach Kevin Walters will opt to fulfil Fermor's wishes or unleash the beast again at Cbus Super Stadium, it's almost certain Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will back up, getting through the contest unscathed after turning up the tempo, heat and aggression against the Blues in his 56 minutes on field.
"He was sweet last night... just had a couple of bumps and bruises as you'd expect after a game that was like last night but overall, he is looking pretty good," Fermor said.
"He was unreal. He did what he does every week for us at the Titans and he was in everything. I think that he was physical and I need to take a leaf out of his book.
"I think that's where we got over them (New South Wales) a bit as well. We played a pretty mean brand of football last night and I think that went a long way to winning the game."
It's expected the 23-year-old back-rower will come back full of confidence from the time spent in Camp Maroon, particularly his time in the Game III lead-up given this time around, he was able to overcome the feeling of being starstruck by the idols he grew up watching as a kid.
"It's been unreal, but I think in the first camp, I was working with Cameron Smith a lot and I was a bit in awe that I was working with him, but I've taken a lot out of the second camp, being more relaxed," Fermor said.
"I've been able to learn heaps from the players and the coaching staff, especially from the calibre of people that are in these camps.
"I'm hoping that I can implement it into my game over the last eight weeks of the season and really build into 2023."
It includes being challenged to no longer be the 'Mr Nice Guy' on the field - channelling the energy and aggression shown from his club captain and the rest of the Maroons in the series decider, as well as perfecting his tackle technique with 430-game future Immortal Smith.
"I think sometimes I'm a bit nice at times, so I'm going to work on not being nice on the field," Fermor said.
"I've also been doing a lot a little wrestle stuff with Cam Smith, and he's probably the best at it because he wasn't the biggest bloke but yet he was able to win tackles and everything like that, so it was really good."
It will all be on show at this Saturday's blockbuster in the club's biggest game of the year, a clash Fermor knows his side needs to win.
"We need it as a club. They're our biggest rivals and it's a game that as a club we would love to get up for, so to get a win would be awesome," Fermor said.
"It's been not only a tough time for us, but for our members and fans as well, so hopefully we get a big crowd out at Cbus on Saturday night.
"To get a win would be really good for those fans who keep showing up every week, so we want to make sure we give them something to cheer about."
Be there for the next instalment of the famous Macca's Local Derby as the rivalry re-ignites at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday, July 16. Secure your seat today!
