There is always plenty said about David Fifita with the edge forward thrusted into the headlines for being the player he is.
Enduring an up and down 2022 season and having to juggle a knee injury that plagued the powerhouse in the middle part of the year, his biggest influencers were always the people that have his back the most... his family.
"My parents are most important. I just kick back at my dad and mum's - they're always giving me advice," he said to titans.com.au.
"People can say what they want to say, but I'm right. I've got my mates around me and a good support base.
"My mum and my dad... they're really good and my nan is still alive. I just want to play my best footy for all of them while they're all still here with me.
"I really love my family. They mean the world to me.
"It's been an up and down year for me personally, but I'll be sweet."
Missing six games due to an MCL injury, it's no secret the time on the sidelines took a toll on his form, particularly with a false start after initially coming back in Round 12 against the Broncos.
"The injuries weren't the best, especially with my knee. That pretty much took a toll on myself with my confidence," Fifita said.
"Even though it was fully healed, at the end of the day, it was still in the back of my mind when coming back, like knowing that I've still got all the strapping and it's still a bit sore and that, but I think in the last couple of weeks [of the season], I didn't even worry about my knee, so that was a good thing."
Not only has the season been tough for the Titans' attacking weapon, but for the group as a whole, but there is a shining light at the end of the tunnel with the way the squad finished off the season.
"Unfortunately we didn't get to play in the finals this season but to be in the position we're in now, finishing the last two games strongly and having a few standout boys who really stood up and played fantastic footy all year, they should be proud of themselves and it's put us in a good spot," Fifita said.
"The main thing now is just the rest up, chill and get ready for pre-season."
Although excitingly for the proud Tongan, he is off to the United Kingdom to represent the Mate Ma'a at the Rugby League World Cup.
