Slade Griffin has declared he intends to fight his way back from a heartbreaking knee injury.
Griffin sustained multiple ruptures to ligaments in his left knee, including a ruptured ACL graft, ruptured lateral ligament and torn lateral meniscus while playing against the Bulldogs last week.
Breaking his silence following the season-ending injury, the nib Newcastle Knights hookers has been overwhelmed with the support he's received from the rugby league community.
Griffin will undergo his fourth knee reconstruction in six years.
Staying optimistic, the New Zealand international is prepared for a lengthy rehabilitation and has welcomed the challenge of making his comeback in 2019.
Thankful Griffin optimistic for Knights return
"The support has been unreal. So many people to thank, my phones been lighting up," Griffin told newcastleknights.com.au.
"All my family, my mum and partner are doing everything for me at the moment, changing my socks, running around the house for me.
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"One of the hardest things is being so dependent on other people. I don't take that for granted.
"All the boys and staff down at Melbourne have been great, the boys here and coaches have rallied around me.
"You can't really take life for granted. You have to enjoy the moment. I'll get through it. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
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It's a cruel blow for the 27-year-old who made his Test debut for New Zealand against England only a week before the Bulldogs game.
Facing a 9-12 month recovery period, Griffin isn't alone in his journey with teammate Tautau Moga currently recovering from a fourth ACL surgery.
"It's obviously very tough watching the footage and it was such a gruesome one but I'm sure once I get over my surgeries, I'll be really looking forward to getting back," Griffin said.
"I'm kind of just looking at the best outcome for my knee at the moment. I still want to be able to run around with my kids and I don't want to limp for the rest of my life.
"I love footy that much and really want to play again and reward the faith the coaches put in me.
"It's just shattering because I finally got to where I wanted to be and got to play with the Kiwis the week before and I came back with so much confidence from that and reinvigorated and ready to attack the second half of the season and then this happened.
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"It's awful timing but I'm not the first person to go through four, Tau (moga) is going through it as well.
"It's going to be a long road and those lonely hours in the gym, I've done before and I'll have to go again."
Currently considering his options for surgery, the No.9 has been inundated with support.
From his former teammates and officials in Melbourne to the Knights and their supporters, the well wishes have been touching.
"The support from the boys has been huge," Griffin said.
"Junior and Browny came to hospital to see me. It was actually a really bad time because they got there and then the doctor walked in and kind of hit us with the news.
"They were there for that gut-wrenching moment but in saying that, it was good to have them there and then Browny popped over again.
"He's just one of those coaches you want to play for. He really cares about his players.
"I've had a few boys pop over – Josh King, Luke Yates, Jamie Buhrer - they were all shattered for me.
"It was devastating I want be able to play with them again this year."
