They're back well ahead of schedule and the sight of Elliott Whitehead on his haunches suggests the Canberra Raiders' trio of internationals are not easing their way into the pre-season grind.
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Canberra stars Josh Hodgson, Whitehead and Joe Tapine are already back at Raiders headquarters for training weeks before they are due to join the main group.
The representative regulars and new face John Bateman were originally slated to join pre-season training in the new year as the Raiders eye a return to the finals.
But they were back early on Wednesday morning for fitness drills before the main group began training, with coach Ricky Stuart running a pre-season built on improving resilience.
"It is nice to see those boys back because everyone gets a buzz when they come back," Raiders winger Nick Cotric said.
"Everyone loves those boys so it’s good to see them back at training already, I don’t think they’re meant to be back for another two weeks. They’re keen, so it’s good."
The prospect of returning weeks early for pre-season training would seem like madness to some, with Cotric laughing he is itching for the Christmas break to roll around.
With the 20-year-old winger in the midst of his third pre-season at the top level following a whirlwind introduction to senior football, he concedes it is never going to get easier.
"Nah definitely not, pre-season is still pre-season, it’s still pretty hard. I can’t wait for the weekends," Cotric said.
"I can’t believe it, I remember my debut game like it was yesterday. Those couple of years have just flown so fast. I remember coming here for pre-season on day one with the big boys, and it’s already been two years gone."
Cotric looks set to assume his place on the wing during Canberra's season opener against the Gold Coast Titans on March 17 as the Green Machine prepare for the return of Jack Wighton at fullback.
The custodian will return to the side after serving a 10-match ban for assault charges and Cotric says he is more than happy to give up the No.1 jumper after playing four matches at fullback last season.
Cotric says the directive from Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was to play him "wherever you enjoy the most", and the State of Origin hopeful "just pretty much said ‘I enjoy my footy on the wing the most and I’m just happy there at the moment’."
Canberra boast two of the most electrifying players in the competition on the flanks in Cotric and Jordan Rapana but they will have to survive without the latter until the midway point of the 2019 season.
Rapana is on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery with Michael Oldfield firming as the favourite to fill his boots after shining in his limited opportunities in Stuart's top 17 this year.
"It’s obviously disappointing with Raps being out with his shoulder, the poor bloke has had a lot of issues with that over the years and it’s obviously come to a very bad ending," Oldfield said.
"He’s already in now, working on it, getting his rehab done. I’m looking forward to him coming back but it presents an opportunity for someone and I’m going to put my best foot forward.
"I like playing all positions to be honest, at the back there in the back five. I got a couple of opportunities there to play centre which was nice.
"Wing is probably the easiest position for me to play, especially when you’re filling in late at times if someone pulls out, late withdrawals and whatnot. I’m looking to possibly running around in different positions this year, we’ll see what happens."
