He has only played nine games this season but a fresh and rejuvenated Jason Taumalolo is satisfied with his NRL minutes as North Queensland look to continue showcasing their forward depth in a September finals charge.
The Cowboys have gone undefeated through the State of Origin period, beating Melbourne, Penrith, South Sydney and Wests Tigers while enjoying two byes.
A maximum 12 competition points and 177 points scored in that period has helped lift them to sit outside the eight only on for-and-against.
The run has come largely without inspirational co-captain Taumalolo, who only featured against the Panthers and Tigers.
He spent from round eight to 16 sidelined with a knee issue - the longest injury break of his career - and is now raring to lead his side to a deep finals push as the NRL season enters its pointy end.
Asked if his extended break had helped his body, Taumalolo said: "Yeah it has. This late in my career any sort of break is needed, but I've missed a lot of footy the last two-to-three months and it's good to be back out there trying to get some game time under my belt heading into the important part of the year.
"I'm happy with the game time I'm getting and everyone seems to be playing well.
"It's going to be hard to manage guys' minutes when people all across the team are playing well."
In his absence, players like Zac Laybutt, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Luciano Leilua and Jeremiah Nanai have all found patches of form, while 19-year-old edge-forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki continues to illustrate why coach Todd Payten will struggle to leave him off the team sheet.
Imposing forward Heilum Luki is also set for a return in the coming weeks after suffering a facial fracture against the Panthers.
"We have a lot of young players that are slowly coming through the ranks and have managed to pick up a fair bit of minutes," Taumalolo said.
"It's going to help them develop and develop their careers eventually, and it's good to see guys like Kuli, Laybutt come in (who are) strong boys and play really well too.
"That always makes it very competitive amongst the playing roster."
