It's been a difficult season for the nib Newcastle Knights on the injury front.
As the year went on, the number of injured troops continued to stack up with the team finally starting to welcome players back to the field.
Mitchell Pearce is poised to face Parramatta on Friday night, while Daniel Saifiti making a strong push to return next week too.
For Daniel's brother Jacob, he's facing at least another month on the sidelines, but it could be worse.
"One bad tackle you're back getting up early, finishing late," Jacob told the Our Town Our Team podcast of life on the sideline.
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"I started getting down on myself but then I just looked at Tau and he's so happy.
"He's always happy, always smiling so I was like 'I've got nothing to complain about', it's 12 weeks and I'm back playing footy.
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"I'm enjoying it at the moment, me and Tau. Daniel was in there for a bit and Pearcey, getting in doing our work."
The rehab room can be a lonely place but even throughout the pre-season the players have had teammates to lean on.
Daniel Saifiti, Mitch Barnett and Tautau Moga all had shoulder surgery in the off-season.
According to Daniel, the bonds the players have been able to create during their rehabilitation process are like none other.
"We all had the same injury – shoulder reco – so we were doing the same weights, same everything," Daniel explained.
"You definitely get closer. Tau was new as well. That fast-tracked us to becoming pretty close mates. It definitely helps build friendships."
nib Train like a Knight
With Pearce returning next week and Daniel closely behind, the Knights have Kalyn Ponga, Slade Griffin, Moga and Jacob unavailable to play.
While Griffin and Moga are out for the season, Ponga is only expected to miss around three weeks and Jacob is hopeful he won't be far off following the fullback back into action.
"I started lifting weights (last week) on my injured arm and it's coming along well," Jacob said.
"Touch wood everything has come along pretty smoothly and I should be back sooner rather than later."
