Fresh from a breakout season that included winning the prestigious Dally M medal Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne has put rivals on notice, declaring he plans to cause even more havoc to opposition defences in 2010.
Although the 22-year-old appears to have added muscle mass to his already imposing frame, the gifted full-back says he has deliberately trimmed down in the off-season in a bid to increase his involvement in games.
And while he's not likely to claim 'The Biggest Loser' crown anytime soon having only shed around two kilos, Hayne is confident the minor change will enable him to have an even greater impact on games.
"Instead of just waiting until we're in an attacking position and getting into the game, I'm going to try and get in there as much as I can," Hayne warned.
"Just (trying to increase) my involvement and the volume, (for example helping us) get out of our end more and the support play more than anything."
Asked if his major motivation for the change was to boost his overall fitness or to gain even more speed, Hayne replied: "A bit of both. A bit more fitness and especially becoming lighter on my feet. I think I was playing at about 100kg last year so hopefully I can get down to 98 this year."
"I wanted to lose the weight and just sort of trim down a bit because I did feel that it was holding me back from being more involved."
"I feel obviously a bit faster but you take away the strength because of the weight - so if you want to gain something you've got to lose something."
Meanwhile, Hayne admits he is not yet fully recovered from a sternum injury suffered during last month's All Stars clash but says there's no chance he'll miss the Round 1 match against the Dragons.
"It's an injury that's going to be around for a while and I've just got to get used to playing with it," he said.
"It's one of those aggravating injuries that you don't realise it's still sore until you get hit on it, so I'm just going to have to wait and see."
The Eels have been installed as favourites to win the competition following the addition of dual international Timana Tahu and props Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton, to a side that made it all the way to the grand final last season.
But Hayne says there's no risk of complacency despite his side's remarkable late-season charge, insisting nothing short of a premiership will suffice this time around.
"We did well last year but we still haven't really achieved anything, we didn't win the comp so we've still got a lot to prove out there with other clubs," he said.
"Obviously us being favourites doesn't help the spotlight but I think as a team we've got so much more to prove."
Asked what he's expecting from St George Illawarra in Friday's season opener at Parramatta Stadium, Hayne predicted a fiery clash.
"They're a great team and a bit like us they've got a lot to prove as well as they had a disappointing end to their season so, they're going to be just as hungry as we are," he said.