Cast an eye back to footage at the 2023 Koori Knockout and Josh Addo-Carr throws out an uncharacteristic sideline punch on a front-rower twice his size.

The Indigenous All Stars winger regrets his actions, but not necessarily over copping the $1000 fine and the two-match suspension from the NRL.

It made the former Melbourne Storm matchwinner reconsider what role he's playing towards lifting Canterbury back into title contention sooner rather than later.

"To be honest, it was probably a blessing in disguise," Addo-Carr told Nine at the All Stars' camp in Townsville.

"I know I made the wrong decision... but I've worked my backside off to be where I'm at right now. I've sacrificed a few things."

Addo-Carr has pinpointed the changes stemming from that split-second decision at the popular Aboriginal rugby league carnival over grand final weekend in October.

He was selected to play for Australia, but was banned from the Pacific Championships after the video of the incident was leaked and not considered for the tournament final.

Since returning to Sydney two years ago, the Bulldogs signing admitted that two years into his contract his starring performances had stagnated.

The diet has changed in the offseason that has not only reinvigorated his body, but his mindset too.

"I only eat meat now," Addo-Carr said.

"It's helped me heaps, transformed my body into what I want it to be.

"I think there was lamb (in the All Stars camp on Wednesday night) – I pretty much ate the whole tray.

"I write in a journal now, like I do the gratitude journal, and all that kind of stuff."

Addo-Carr became accustomed to success at Melbourne, finals every year and taking out two NRL premierships his five seasons.

Playing in just five wins out of his 15 appearances last year also left Addo-Carr feeling increasingly frustrated.

The Gunggandji, Birrbay and Wiradjuri man is now intent on dragging the club up the ladder into the 2024 finals series.

"I don't want to talk myself up, but I've achieved a lot of things in the game," he said.

"I needed a change. I figured it out, and it's made me happy again."

Addo-Carr went six games last year without crossing the line once before scoring a treble in the Bulldogs' season finale against Gold Coast.

The 11 tries last year was his lowest scoring season since his six tries in nine fixtures amid his rookie NRL year back in 2016 for the Wests Tigers.