Look out NRL defensive lines, Gold Coast forward David Fifita is leaner, meaner and looking to come at you for longer and longer periods.
The wrecking ball superstar was used sparingly off the bench by Titans coach Justin Holbrook at the back of 2021, doing his damage in spurts rather than across a whole game.
Having shed several kilos in the off-season, Fifita's increased fitness was on display in last weekend's season opener as he played a full 80 minutes against Parramatta.
Fifita insists he wants that full-game impact to become the norm in 2022.
"That's the player I want to be," he said.
"I want to be a full 80-minute player.
"Obviously last year I started that then at the back end I put on a few kgs and that's on me, my discipline with myself off and on the field.
"I'm in the right direction at the moment."
Fifita said there had been no magic bullet to his fitness overhaul, just hard work and a commitment to be the best player he can be heading his second season as the Titans' marquee man.
He's also full of praise for the club's conditioning staff including high performance manager Klint Hoare, who arrived at the Titans at the end of 2020 - the same time Fifita completed his lucrative switch from the Broncos.
"High performance, Klint and Hoops (Steven Hooper), they do a good job and we also got a new dietician on board as well," Fifita said.
"He's real smart with what he talks about and what he says in front of the group. We're all in good nick and looking forward to the season ahead."
After going down 32-28 to the Eels in round one, Fifita is itching to get the club's season up and running on Saturday against the Warriors at CBUS Super Stadium.
Last season's encounter between the two clubs was a fiery affair which ended up with Warriors prop Matt Lodge copping a $5000 fine for raising his middle finger to Titans' fans after being sin-binned.
Fifita said he was hopeful his former Broncos teammate would be on the opposing line-up again this weekend.
"He's a good mate of mine Lodgey and looking forward to the challenge," Fifita said.
"They've got a good fanbase here as well on the Goldie - it's an even split.
"See what happens man. We had a good win over them last year but that was last year."
