It's this tough love from Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett that has seen Corey Oates go from a lanky country boy to a Queensland Origin player in a matter of 18 months.
Bennett may have not yet complimented Oates since returning to the club in 2015, but the master coach has brought out the best in the 21-year-old, with Oates enjoying his best season and a half of football yet, cementing his position on Brisbane's wing.
But Bennett is not the only person Oates can thank, with the Baralaba Panthers junior owing a lot to his loving parents Warren and Jeanette.