Valentine Holmes needs to keep reminding himself to back his own running game with the North Queensland star believing he must stick to his natural strengths to join the elite fullbacks in the NRL.
Holmes had to fight his way into the No.1 jersey at the Cowboys after new coach Todd Payten opted to start the season with Scott Drinkwater at fullback and shift the Queensland Origin representative to the wing where he built his career and starred last year for the Maroons.
The 25-year-old former Sharks premiership winner has started to hit top form in recent weeks, his try assist, six tackle breaks, 191 metres and line break in the loss to Sydney Roosters on Saturday a sign of what is to come as he adapts to the role.