That's why when Blues coach Brad Fittler rejected some advice to order Latrell Mitchell to rein in his attacking instincts late in State of Origin II, it was music to the ears of the star centre.

The game was in the balance heading into the final quarter of game two on Sunday when Mitchell twice came up with low-percentage plays that could've resulted in fatal errors.

But Fittler, who had instructed his team to back their ability all week, didn't flinch.

"There was talk in the box about asking to change his ways. I was never going to question to him to just keep going for it," Fittler said.

He knew mistakes like Mitchell's failed offload from the first play of a seven-tackle set would happen. And he trusted Mitchell to learn from the experience.

"At times I should hold it," Mitchell said.

"But if I'm not going to do it and back myself with my ability I'm going to cramp up and just be a robot."

In some ways, the 21-year-old Mitchell is a throwback to Brad Fittler the player.

Like Mitchell, Fittler began his decorated career in the centres, where he often left defences in tatters with his combination of speed, agility and instinct.

Mitchell sees the similarities.

"I grew up watching a few games of Freddie's and the player he was, was obviously instinctive too. He'd look up and play what he saw, take it with both hands, and execute," Mitchell said.

"That's for me to work on now, go back to my club and do what I gotta do."

Mitchell, who early in the week feared he had broken his neck in his last-start NRL match against Penrith, also opened up on how he got the better of opposite centre Will Chambers.

The Maroons star is not only widely regarded as the best centre in the world, but also has a reputation of being able to get in the head of his opposition.

"He'd have to be one of the mentally toughest (opponents)," Mitchell said.

"I can't really explain the things he says but he does try to get in your head, he tries to play mind games with you and try and get a mistake out of you.

"I knew it was coming. It just doesn't bother me."

Australian Associated Press