This weekend, the reigning Danny Buderus Medalist plays his 100th NRL game.
Spending all 99 games of his career thus far with the nib Newcastle Knights, Jacob Saifiti has become one of the most feared and consistently powerful forwards in the NRL.
Still only 25, Saifiti has achieved plenty while still having an incredibly high ceiling going forward.
With that in mind, here's a look back on J-Saf's journey so far.
2015
- Incredibly, Jacob and twin-brother Daniel made their international debuts before pulling on an NRL jumper, with the duo debuting for Fiji in a Test against Papua New Guinea, with the Bati claiming a 22-10 victory.
2016
- Saifiti made his Knights debut against the Gold Coast in Round 1, again alongside Daniel, making them the first set of twins to ever debut alongside each other in NRL history.
- Saifiti scored his first ever NRL try in the Round 5 loss to Melbourne.
- A strong debut season saw Saifiti play 18 games, where he ran for an average of 78 metres a game and scored two tries.
- The front rower was rewarded with a 12-month contract extension.
2017
- 2017 was a real breakout season for Saifiti, with the front rower playing all-but three games.
- Providing impact off the bench, 'J-Saf' ran for a total of 1,723 run metres at an average of 82 per game despite his limited minutes.
- Saifiti inked a long-term contract extension, ensuring he would remain at the Club until at least the end of the 2020 season.
- After impressing all season, Saifiti was named in the Fijian World Cup squad, where he played every game as the Bati marched all the way into the semi-finals before being eliminated by Australia.
2018
- After bursting onto the scene over the previous two seasons, 2018 was a more challenging year for Saifiti.
- 'J-Saf' featured prominently in the opening half of the season, before a fractured left shoulder suffered in a Round 11 loss on the Gold Coast saw him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
- In his eight appearances, Saifiti still managed to average 416 run metres at an average of over 50 per game off the bench.
2019
- A serious leg injury suffered in the pre-season provided a second major setback for Saifiti in as many seasons, which turned the 2019 season into another frustrating one for the forward.
- Saifiti made his return to the top grade in Round 16 after a positive stint in reserve grade.
- He eventually forced his way back into the NRL side for good late in the year, finishing the season with seven games, including his 50th NRL game in a 20-14 loss to Parramatta in Round 21.
- In a sign of things to come for the forward, Saifiti was named Canterbury Cup Player of the Year at the Club's end of season awards evening.
2020
- 2020 marked a rebirth of sorts for Saifiti, with the forward playing all 21 games under new Coach, Adam O'Brien.
- 'J-Saf' crossed for his first try in nearly three years when he scored in the 14-all draw with Penrith in Round 3.
- Saifiti was instrumental in leading the Knights to a maiden finals appearance since 2013. He featured in his first ever finals game, with the Knights going down 46-20 to South Sydney in the Elimination Final.
- He finished the season with a career-best 2348 run metres at an average of 111 per game.
2021
- 2021 was by far the best yet of Saifiti's career, with the forward topping his run metre best with 2,437 across 23 games.
- 'J-Saf' cracked Adam O'Brien's starting side mid year, forcing Test prop David Klemmer back to the bench.
- He made his second finals appearance, playing a huge role in an incredibly brave performance from the entire forward pack. Ultimately, the Knights would go down 28-20 to the Eels.
- At the end of season awards, Saifiti was given the Danny Buderus Medal as the Club's Player of the Year.
2022
- After an opening round win against the Roosters, Saifiti will run out for his 100th match in the NRL in the side's Round 2 clash with the Wests Tigers.
