In the first ten minutes of his return from a near two-year absence, Jack Walker was welcomed back to rugby league with one almighty whack.
The Leeds Rhinos fullback was clobbered by Bradford Bulls forward Steve Crossley and left flat on his back.
It was a brutal reintroduction to a game he's been unable to play due to ongoing foot problems, yet he believes it was exactly what he needed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
"Being whacked like that, it's rugby league, it's what it's all about."
The hit would have knocked any feeling of nervousness out of him, though he insists his focus had resulted in excitement rather than anxiety ahead of his return.
"I've not been nervous for a game since my debut but coming back after two years, I was nervous.
"It was more building up to the game, the drive to the coach, the coach drive, that was all nervy.
"But as soon as I got on the field that all went. I knew my job, what I had to do, the role I had as a player and I thought I played pretty well in that sense.
"The first 40 minutes was pretty tough with a lot of errors, but the first 10 minutes of the second half I got into my stride a bit made a few breaks and got the offload to Max."
Head coach Richard Agar confirmed Walker would again feature this week against Hull FC and Walker is eyeing up a full 80 minutes to prove to himself he's ready for a return to competitive action.
"I want to play a full game so I know I'm ready," he said.
"I've seen in an interview Rich has done that he's said I'll get more minutes but I'll be ready to play and do my best to put my front foot forward for round one."
