Centre Justin Hodges plans to make the first payment on a seven-week debt he believes he owes his Brisbane teammates in his eagerly-awaited comeback against the Sharks on Friday night.
Brisbane have missed not only his strike power in the back line and his precious metres out of dummy half, but also the aggression and intensity he injects due to a suspension.
Hodges has served a six-week ban for a nasty lifting tackle on Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne and admits he let himself and his teammates down with his second tackling indiscretion this year.
"It's been seven weeks and I've been hurting," said Hodges, who also cost himself a place in Queensland's Origin-winning side.
"It was long and tough and I'm just glad it's over so I can hopefully get back to playing some good footy."
Asked if he felt he owed his teammates for letting them down, Hodges said: "I think so, obviously I did.
"They struggled there for a few weeks but hopefully in the next seven weeks we can build towards something special at the end and I can pay them back with some awesome football."
Hodges's break has helped him get over some niggling injuries and, like skipper Darren Lockyer who missed much of the season with knee soreness, he feels refreshed and keen to go.
"Half way through the season I was feeling a little bit tired and I had a couple of injuries, my shoulder and my knee were hurting a bit so it was good to have that rest," said Hodges, who was in great form before his suspension.
"I've got a bit of frustration to get out and that's something I'm going to try and do on Friday night, lead by example.
"I feel good, I've got rid of all my injuries and feeling 100 per cent.
"I think I can hit the ground running."
Coach Wayne Bennett threatened to wield the axe after Brisbane's poor second half against the Cowboys but it's unlikely he will order any changes apart from making room for Hodges to return.
When told his coach was "not happy", Hodges said with a grin "he's never happy".
"The only time he's happy is when we win a grand final so we're used to it," he said.
Prop Nick Kenny trained on the injured ankle that sidelined him for games against the Bulldogs and Cowboys and was hopeful of playing on Friday night if he gets through the last two sessions.
Tonie Carroll (ankle) also trained and could be back to provide some much needed intimidation against the likes of Paul Gallen, who was reported for a high tackle on the weekend but escaped a visit to the judiciary.
