In years past Darius Boyd would have been hesitant to front the media or make an appearance in the public eye.
But at the Telstra Premiership Campaign Launch on Thursday, players from every single club [bar the Cowboys] were on hand to watch the unveiling of the competition's new 2015 television commercial, and those in attendance would have seen or met a positively different Boyd.
Happily talking to anyone who approached him, including his former club's famous Knights' Nannas, Boyd has clearly come to enjoy his remarkable change of pace.
A more mature Boyd was happy to front up and discuss how it was time for him to give back to the game he's been playing for most of his life.
"I couldn't be happier with my change in attitude. I love it," Boyd said.
"I wish I would've done this five, ten years ago but things happen. I'm enjoying every bit of it all at the moment.
"Things have changed the past six months and I want to give back to the game that has been great to me.
"I love playing football and wherever I can help I want to give back."
Despite currently being on the shelf with a long term Achilles tendon injury, Boyd couldn't be happier to be back at the Brisbane Broncos following his and coach Wayne Bennett's departure from the Newcastle Knights.
Perhaps coinciding with Boyd's newfound maturity following his stint in rehab for depression, the 27-year-old said he didn't need long to fit back into life at Red Hill.
"It's my favourite club, I couldn't be happier. I love it in Brisbane. There are a lot of the same faces there and all the players and staff are really supportive and it's just a great club to be a part of," Boyd said.
"I would love to finish my career there. I'm grateful to get another opportunity and to be back closer to my friends and family again obviously being from there originally."
As for his injury progress, Boyd said he is on the right track towards recovery but it was ultimately a slow process, which should all but rule him out of State of Origin in 2015.
"I don't think I'm ahead of schedule. I think everything has gone to plan so far, there have been no setbacks," Boyd said.
"I'm enjoying the progress I'm making and I'm looking forward to running next week which will be good.
"Achilles injuries are six to nine months of rehab and the six months comes up in June which is after the first Origin. I'm trying to get back as a quick as possible but it's just a matter of running now and seeing how it will hold up for the remainder of the season."
