Rarely has Joey Leilua been the hardest worker in the room.
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So says the Canberra Raiders centre's teammate Jordan Rapana - the man with whom Leilua formed one of the most devastating combinations in the NRL.
But now? You would struggle to find anyone that has worked harder than Leilua to put himself on the cusp of a return to the top grade when many thought his season was over following neck surgery.
The 27-year-old has "worked his arse off" and could return to Canberra's side for a blockbuster clash with the competition-leading Melbourne Storm on Saturday.
It would mark a miraculous turnaround from the surgery on a bulging disc which was placing pressure on his spinal cord that left Leilua in intensive care three months ago.
"I've got to give credit to him. He's probably not the most diligent in the gym or the most hard-working NRL player I've come across," Rapana said.
"He has really worked his arse off and done all his extras. He's back early for a reason and it's a credit to him.
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"We've got a good combination between us two. It depends on what is going to happen, I'm not sure.
"Nicky has been doing a great job and Sticky [Raiders coach Ricky Stuart] has got a tough selection on his hands.
"If BJ and I are on that right edge again, I'm really looking forward to building that combination and having Leipana back together.
"It gives you a boost, but in saying that, we have been able to handle the injuries really well.
"We've had Oldy [Michael Oldfield] come in and do a great job, we were able to win games with our back-up and second back-up centre.
"It's good to see we've got that depth. It's healthy as a squad to see we've got players there that can do the job and fill in.
"It's definitely healthy to have that depth, but hopefully BJ is back sooner rather than later."
Leilua's return to the fold would mean Stuart has to readjust his outside backs heading into the final month of the regular season.
Nick Cotric has been Stuart's first choice to fill the void at right centre in Leilua's absence and he has excelled in his move from left wing.
He may be forced to move back to the flank in place of Bailey Simonsson to rekindle his combination with Raiders captain Jarrod Croker on the left edge.
But where he plays matters little to the 20-year-old State of Origin player.
"I'm just happy to play with the boys," Cotric said.
"I don't mind, I'll play anywhere, I just want to be alongside the boys. I just like enjoying my footy, I don't care where.
"Joey [will be fully fit in] another couple of weeks. Everyone knows how strong he is in attack and in defence, so it will be great to have him back in attack.
"Bailey has been going well for his first year with all of his hard carries, he's been doing a great job on the wing.
"Toots [Croker] has been killing it, Jacko [Wighton] and all the boys are going well. We've just got to get those little things right."