He's been in the best form of his career, assured of his spot in the NSW side and playing in a red-hot NRL side - life's good for Mitchell Pearce.
Still only 24, Pearce is in his seventh season as the Sydney Roosters halfback and is flourishing under the coaching of Trent Robinson, having signed a lucrative new five-year deal just before the start of the season.
It's all very different to last year when the Roosters were struggling and his spot in the Blues side was far from certain as ex-coach Ricky Stuart looked to find a way to end Queensland's seven-year State of Origin stranglehold.
Pearce did get the nod and was solid without being spectacular as the Maroons prevailed yet again 2-1, thanks to a last-gasp Cooper Cronk field goal in game three at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
His return to the Roosters after that heartbreak in Brisbane saw him walk straight into a bust-up with former coach Brian Smith as the pair's already fractious relationship disintegrated - leading to speculation he wouldn't re-sign with the Roosters.