This time last year, Moeaki Fotuaika was forced to do a lot of soul searching.
Disappointed of his performance in what was the centurion's fifth season in the NRL, the ferocious forward had lost his place in the Queensland Origin team and at times, was relegated to the bench for his beloved Titans.
It was at this moment he knew he couldn't get bitter... he needed to get better.
Beginning with a resurgent World Cup for Tonga in the United Kingdom, the 23-year-old stepped off the plane back in Australia with the motivation to get back to his best and be of the premiere props in the game.
Starting with an early return to pre-season training under the guise of new Titans performance chief Cameron Ferguson; and a raw, honest and challenging conversation with Justin Holbrook about what Fotuaika needed to do to improve on his 2022 performance.
Setting a goal to play more consistent footy for the Gold Coast, it's fair to say the back fence specialist has done more than just that, with the 121-gamer bestowed the Paul Broughton Medal for the second time in his career to cap off an incredible reinvigoration.
"In the off season, I had a bit of time to think about how I played and coming into this year, I didn't want to have another season like that ever again," Fotuaika said after claiming the top gong.
"It's a credit to the support network we have at the Titans. The performance and coaching staff have helped me get to this stage as well as my family, my teammates and my friends, so I'm definitely proud of my season."
In a year of on-field triumphs, the forward's consistency was his number one strength for the Titans up front, continuously taking the tough carries and setting the standard with defence - bringing a much-needed ferocious attitude and impact that should be heralded the most.
On the cusp of an Origin recall for Game I, Fotuaika just missed out but instead of dropping his head, he delivered two more best-on performances in the weeks following making coach Billy Slater unable to overlook him for the match-deciding showdown at Suncorp.
"My proudest achievement in 2023 was definitely getting back in the Origin arena," he said.
"It’s definitely something I wanted to get back into and I couldn’t have done it without my family and all the people at the club.
"It meant so much to me to be get back in the Maroons."
Continuously taking tough carries and starting sets from the back fence, it was the 23-year-old's attitude and impact in defence that should really be credited.
An element in the game that is rarely attributed in stats, it was backed up with his incredible 95 percent efficiency across an average of 31 tackles per match.
"I'm definitely proud and grateful to receive this award. Obviously with it being the first year after the passing of Paul Broughton, it's made it even more special," Fotuaika said.
"I can't put it into words. I'm just extremely happy at the moment."
Away from the rugby league paddock, a lot has changed for the two-time Paul Broughton Medallist since he was last bestowed with the honour as a teenager.
Still living at home and bringing his much-loved mother to his the awards in 2019, he's now living on the Gold Coast with his partner Vanessa and the pair just welcomed their first child Malachi only a few weeks ago, which Fotuaika says has helped his footy flourish even more.
"I’m really proud to be a dad and I’m extremely grateful for my partner Vanessa," he said.
"I have to give it to those who are mums and becoming mums – full credit to them who sacrifice a lot for the birth of their children.
"I’m blessed and grateful for my partner and creating a family is what I'm most proud about this year."
Expecting to line up for the Mate Ma'a's upcoming tour of England, the International series will be the start of what Fotuaika is hoping can be another season of consistency, excited by the extreme talent on the Gold Coast being nurtured by new coach Des Hasler.
"It's crazy to think what we can do in the future," he said.
"We're all the similar age around the early 20s and we've also got the experience in Isaac Liu there who is the older head... he leads us around and we've got Keenan Palasia coming next year.
"There's definitely exciting times ahead."
