With a new appreciation of "how good it is to play rugby league" after his 2023 season was curtailed by a knee injury, Sharks forward Teig Wilton is back in full training and pumped for next year.
A torn meniscus against the Warriors in round 20 forced the second-rower to undergo surgery and watch from afar as his teammates secured a finals berth.
Having started this pre-season in rehab, Wilton rejoined the main group about a week ago and is on track for the trial matches in February.
While Wilton cemented himself as a starter last season, largely keeping captain Wade Graham on the interchange in his final NRL campaign, the 24-year-old from Narooma will look to take another big step after the veteran's retirement.
"I'm feeling good and looking forward to next year. I'm back in full training with the team and it feels really good to be back out there amongst the group," Wilton said.
"(The injury) was difficult. It was definitely not what any player would want to do; build for the year and then miss the funnest, most important part of the year.
"It was tough - it was my first major injury - but it definitely gave me a new appreciation of what we get to do and how much I want to play finals footy."
There were silver linings in the injury for the hard-working Wilton, who has played 62 NRL games and scored 14 tries since his debut in 2020.
"You definitely see the game from a different perspective and can sit back and look at your role in more depth," he said of his time on the sidelines.
"When you're going week to week, you're reviewing then looking at the next week. I was definitely able to review myself at a closer level and (gained) a newfound gratitude of how good it is to play rugby league, really."
With the 2023 squad mostly remaining intact, Wilton can sense something special brewing in the Shire under the guidance of coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
"We're definitely looking to go to new heights in 2024 and I think we have the group to do it," he said. "I'll be back full and healthy (for the trials)."
Wilton has been impressed by the standard at training throughout the summer, with a host of emerging players showing their capabilities.
"We've got a good crew this year. We've got a lot of good young lads," he said.
"I don't really want to single anyone out because they've all been so good. If I name one I'd have to name a handful!"
