He was a member of the Rabbitohs' premiership-winning team but Chris McQueen knows he didn't have the greatest season last year personally.
After being injured at different points and playing plenty of games from the bench throughout the season, McQueen ended up only averaging 18.4 tackles and 67.1 metres per game – something he wants to make amends for in a Rabbitohs team shaping up for their premiership defence without key duo Ben Te'o and Sam Burgess.
"I know I wasn't playing great footy for a time there. Looking back on last year I know I have a lot to work on in 2015," McQueen told NRL.com.
"I know I still have a lot of improvement within me so it's just about having a look at my style and watching the videos and see what I can do to improve while also ripping into training."
Losing such influential players in Te'o and Burgess, the five-time Queensland Origin representative is ready to lift for not only the sake of his team but for his own game too.
Vying for a spot in the starting back-row with Kyle Turner – the man who was responsible for many of McQueen's interchange appearances last season – Glenn Stewart and John Sutton, the 27-year-old is ready to find some much-needed consistency within his game.
"I see this season as an opportunity to put my hand up to become a leader and be one of those guys who stand out week-in, week-out. That's the hugely important thing for me," McQueen said.
"Those boys [Te'o and Burgess] are big losses but we have picked up some boys that have come into the team and pretty much changed our style a little bit."
A man who is shaping up to have a positive influence on McQueen's career is the skillful former Sea Eagle, NSW and Australian representative Stewart.
Effectively joining the club to replace Burgess in the back row, Stewart has fitted into the club well according to McQueen.
"Having someone like him around has been enormous. He has done it all in the game so just having him around the club and listening to the way he talks – he's definitely helped out a lot of the boys at training," McQueen said.
"He plays a different style of footy but he brings a lot to the club so it's worked out well for him in terms of fitting in."
As the World Club Challenge against reigning Super League champions St Helens beckons, a huge chance to impress coach Michael Maguire will be presented to McQueen.
Going up against the likes of former England back-rower Jon Wilkin and former NRL players Atelea Vea and Mark Flanagan, McQueen realises it will be a strong test.
"It's obviously our last trial. This now is our last opportunity to get out there against St Helens with a full team and see where we are at," McQueen said. "We will take a lot out of the game regardless of the result."
