The skipper is back.
After an extended off-season break, Mitchell Pearce has officially re-entered Knights HQ with his sights already set on his massive goal for season 2021.
"I'll be doing everything I can to get us that premiership," Pearce said.
It's a lofty goal, but one Pearce has been incredibly vocal about since he linked with the Knights in 2018.
With the likes of Tyson Frizell joining the squad following the Club's return to the finals in 2020, the time seems right for the skipper and his troops to take that next step.
"I love setting big goals," Pearce said.
"It makes me motivated and as a group, the higher you set your bar, the better you'll play.
"We have a great squad, there are no issues there. Obviously, we've got Tyson coming in who is going to be great for the team."
Pearce: Return, contract rumours and Brailey influence
While Pearce has been enjoying a well-earned break, his name certainly hasn't been kept out of the news cycle.
Rumours began swirling almost immediately after the finals that Pearce was planning a return to the Sydney Roosters, however Pearce was quick to put them to bed when he stepped back into Knights HQ.
"It (contract rumours) is part and parcel of footy," he said.
"There is always something written about us as players.
"It's the sport we play and what people want to read about, but from my point of view, I had nothing to say as far as the Roosters thing or other clubs or even about the Knights.
"There was a lot of talk but if you read the stories, I didn't say a whole lot. I love the club here."
As for the near future, Pearce said he was just looking forward to sweating out another pre-season under Adam O'Brien.
"I just love training hard," Pearce said.
"I'm sure the next couple of days will get a fair few k's in the legs and some skills.
"It's been very open with Adsy (O'Brien) and the guys that are in control of that stuff, so I'm really comfortable with where we are moving forward."
Approaching the pointy end of his glittering stint as an NRL player, Pearce said he hoped 2021 would be a year he would look back on with particularly fond memories.
"I hope it's career-defining," he said.
"If we can get what we're out to achieve, it will definitely be career-defining."
Klem: Return to training and '21 expectations
