Injury plagued Broncos centre Justin Hodges is hoping his newfound commitment to training will help keep him out of the casualty ward in the upcoming NRL season.
The 29-year-old battled a chronic hamstring complaint in 2011, limiting his campaign to 17 games.
But with a rare full pre-season under his belt, the Kangaroos and Queensland stalwart is primed to return to the peak of his powers as the Broncos prepare for life without retired legend Darren Lockyer.
"It's probably been about four or five years since I've done a whole pre-season, but I've got through it and I'm just looking forward to the season starting," an upbeat Hodges said.
"I've been pushed the hardest I've been for a long time, every year gets harder in the pre-season but it's just something that I really wanted to do and I've trained hard since the first day of pre-season."
"I think having the whole pre-season behind me where I've actually got some fitness behind me is going to be different."
"Throughout the year if I get injured I don't usually train much so hopefully I can build on top of (the pre-season training) and hopefully get no injuries this year."
"I've obviously been working on my hammy and back so hopefully I'm looking forward to a good year where I can stay on the park for the whole season."
Pressed on a realistic number of games he expects to play in 2012, the veteran of 182 NRL appearances said his main aim is to avoid missing two or more games in a row.
"That's the whole plan but I think there is going be games where I might miss one game," he said.
"That just comes with a little load I guess and obviously age as well."
"If I'm feeling good I'll play but around that eight to 10 game mark that's probably where we'll have to have a look at (possibly resting), but I'm feeling good I'll play."
Hodges will start his 2012 campaign on February 4 as part of the Indigenous All Stars team for the annual clash against the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.
The Broncos will play three trial matches in February against North Queensland, Gold Coast and Melbourne ahead of their season opener against Parramatta on March 2.