With the Storm facing the champions Penrith in Magic Round, Coates will return to his old stomping ground at Suncorp Stadium, where he started his NRL career with Brisbane in 2019.

After three seasons with the Broncos he shifted south to the Storm this year and has never been happier, or played better.

The 21-year-old winger said he felt settled at the Storm, already extending his current deal.

"I just feel comfortable within this environment; I feel like it's my family here," the Queensland Origin representative said.

"The key players within the team, the spine, they sort of run the show and it shows when we go out in the field.

"We look real comfortable out there and it's because of those guys steering the ship out there.

"Hopefully we go out on Saturday and we produce what we've been producing the last nine rounds."

Coates is joint-second on the NRL try-scoring tally with 10 for the season behind injured Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, while he's in the top 10 for linebreaks.

Interestingly the player Coates will line up against at Suncorp Stadium, Panthers young gun Taylan May, has also chalked up 10 four-pointers.

The 20-year-old played one NRL game late last season but has proved a revelation in his seven appearances so far in 2022.

Coates hasn't played against Penrith in Storm colours and was excited by the high-stakes challenge.

"Taylan's been killing it coming into the NRL scene so I can't wait for that challenge," Coates said.

"He's at the top of his game so it will give me an indication of where I'm at so I can't wait.

"I'm ready to step up and hopefully, I can do my job on Saturday."

Despite his young age Oates has impressed the Melbourne cohort, including halfback Jahrome Hughes, by speaking up at team meetings.

"Just just how confident he is for such a young guy - I know it feels like he's been in the game for a while playing Origin - but in meetings he's always giving his thoughts," Hughes said.

"I know it can be pretty daunting being a young guy and doing that and I know I wouldn't have done that when I was young coming through.

"He has a willingness to learn and help his teammates so he's been great for us, so I'm excited to see how far he can go."

Australian Associated Press