It's been a long time coming, but Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua is on the verge of playing his 200th NRL game.
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He would also finalise his miraculous comeback from a career-threatening spinal injury in the process.
It couldn't come in a bigger game - against the ladder-leading Melbourne Storm in Melbourne on Sunday.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has named Leilua (neck) in the centres for the clash that pits top against third just four weeks out from finals.
It will be Leilua's first NRL game in 16 weeks after he had surgery on a bulging disc in his neck.
His last game was against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on April 28.
But he's been named on the right edge alongside winger and good mate Jordan Rapana.
And Rapana couldn't be happier about the prospect of the duo known as "Leipana" reforming.
"I'm very much looking forward to having him back out there. We know what he can do," he said.
"I think this will be his 200th game so he's very experienced.
"We know what he can do in attack and we have a good combination so hopefully that hasn't been lost.
"I think he'll be a massive inclusion for the team.
"I've missed him, so I'd really look forward to playing alongside him again."
It means Nick Cotric will return to the left wing, while Bailey Simonsson has been named as the utility on the bench.
Raiders back-up hooker Siliva Havili has dropped out of the 17, but is still part of the extended squad.
His absence would mean the Raiders don't have any cover for England hooker Josh Hodgson.
Simonsson said that was the risk of being part of a strong squad - losing your spot.
The 21-year-old has played 14 NRL games so far in his debut season, scoring seven tries.
"There's a lot of quality players in the squad, which creates healthy competition for spots," he said.
"You can't be sure of your spot no matter where you are."
He said Leilua has been in good spirits around the squad since returning to full training a few weeks ago.
His shift to the bench means Cotric and centre Jarrod Croker will be charged with stopping Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
Vunivalu scored a hat-trick in 30 minutes against the Green Machine back in round two.
"He's obviously a very big body out there, a powerful runner and very good in the air," Simonsson said.
"Whoever's there playing in that spot's going to have to do a good job on him."
Rapana said Leilua added extra strike to their attack.
Especially with his offloads and the carnage they can create.
It's why whenever Leilua has the ball you can see Rapana following him like a bad smell.
"He's a skilful, big, strong lad. Defensively for the opposition he's hard to handle," he said.
"He brings a lot of second phase footy.
"You only need to watch me when he carries the ball I'm right behind him following, sniffing around for an offload.
"I think our style of football that we play suits him.
"He's had a big part in that - playing off the cuff, getting quick play-the-balls. All those simple little things. He does it so well."
Rapana said if they produced another performance like they did against the Roosters then they would give themselves a chance to knock off the ladder-leading Storm.
While they didn't beat the Roosters, they pushed them until the 80th minute - giving the Green Machine plenty of confidence.
The Storm are four wins clear of the Raiders at the top of the ladder.
"Looking forward to another challenge again to play Melbourne who are top of the table at the minute," Rapana said.
"We've got a big task and if we play like we did on the weekend we definitely stand a chance."
NRL ROUND 22
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.30pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Emre Guler.
Storm squad: 1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Tui Kamikamica, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reserves: 18. Max King, 19. Tom Eisenhuth, 20. Sandor Earl, 21. Billy Walters.