It is the silver lining from an injury-plagued season that Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend hopes will translate into a final deal with the NRL club.
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As the rugby league community waits on a decision from embattled Roosters star Latrell Mitchell, Friend remains locked in talks on an extension beyond 2020.
And after spending most of their premiership season on the sidelines, the 29-year-old believes his body still has plenty more to offer.
"Obviously I'd love to get another year or two on the back-end of next, but we'll see what happens," Friend said on Monday.
Friend made a storied return in the Roosters' grand final triumph, ten weeks after fracturing his arm in his second game back from a bicep injury.
His six games in total was his least since his rookie season in 2008.
In fact, Friend had appeared in a remarkable 233 of a possible 258 games for the club between the 2009-18 seasons.
That includes an even more impressive 133 consecutive matches over a five-year period that began from his first premiership with the club in 2010.
Now, having begun his 13th pre-season with the club last week, the veteran hooker declared himself fully fit for a crack at a third straight title.
Another added incentive would be the all-time record for most appearances for the club, currently held by Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello's 302.
Current teammate Mitchell Aubusson, who also comes off-contract at the end of next season, sits second on the list on 290.
Friend is behind Mitchell Pearce in fifth on 246 matches.
"Obviously (it was) tough watching last year. But definitely for the rest of my body, the injury seems to be really good," Friend said.
"All the scans are positive. So going into next year, that (arm) should be all fine and the rest of me has had a pretty good rest.
"I feel fresh and never been (more) excited to get back into training after not having as much footy during the year."
Friend said he had reached out to Mitchell, who returned for pre-season testing last week but isn't expected to re-join the squad until the new year.
However the Kangaroos representative could be at a new club by then, with the Wests Tigers, South Sydney and Gold Coast still mentioned as possible homes.
"He seemed fine to me. He's enjoying time with his family and I think that's great for him. He needs that after a big season," Friend said.
"He's got a decision to make and that'll be done over the Christmas break, I'd say."
Australian Associated Press
