With the young winger in the form of his life, Jharal Yow Yeh is enforcing a self-imposed booze ban on himself, as well as avoiding nightclubs and hanging out with mates, as he strives for a debut Origin appearance.
With some critics still on his back saying that the form will be short-lived, Yow Yeh ensure that this will not be the case, as he has abstained from having alcohol altogether.
“I’m off the booze, definitely,” Yow Yeh said.
“A couple of the boys had a drink the other night (after Brisbane’s win over the Tigers) and I stayed off it then as well.
“It’s hard when you get a good win like we did against the Tigers, but you have to make the sacrifices and I’m trying to do everything I can to play good football.
“I reckon I’m ready for State of Origin … I’ve settled down socially to try and help myself out.”
Having previously been a party animal, Yow Yeh has matured more, and now looks up to the leaders of the Brisbane side in Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges.
His decision to dump the alcohol and avoid the nightclubs comes after the most recent Todd Carney incidents, incidents which Yow Yeh does not want to be faced with himself.
“It sounds mean, but I’ve stayed away from my friends,” he said.
“I’ve tried to keep to myself and stay home a lot.
“And that’s probably helped my training. I’m a bit fitter and stronger because of it.
“Role models like Sammy and Hodgie do that all the time and it’s easy for me to do it when people like that are doing it.”
Yow Yeh has received strong support from the retiring Lockyer, with Lockyer believing that the young winger is more than capable of having a long career in both the NRL and representative football.
“He was brought in (to the Queensland squad) as 18th man last year to get some exposure to how it all operates,” Lockyer said.
“Jharal’s playing some tough footy and that’s what you need when you step onto the field in Origin.
“There’s a few candidates for one of the wing spots but if he keeps playing the way he does he’ll give himself a good chance.
“The important thing for Jharal is not to think too much about Origin, just focus on playing well for the Broncos and Origin will look after itself.”