Brisbane forward Jack Gosiewski has a sense of déjà vu as he targets starting in round one in the second-row against Penrith, but he is also hoping this season is not another Groundhog Day scenario.
The 31-year-old has had an injury-riddled career that has limited him to 88 games in 10 seasons at five different clubs.
In a twist of fate, it is a knee injury to last year’s premiership-winning second-rower Brendan Piakura that has opened the door for Gosiewski to start on the left edge against the Panthers next Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Last year he won a starting berth against the Sydney Roosters in round one on the back of great pre-season form and work ethic. He is in prime position to do so again.
Gosiewski played the opening six rounds last year before fracturing an arm at training, his second broken arm inside 10 months. He got back in the side and was on track for the finals before a broken collarbone against the Dolphins in round 24 ruled him out for the rest of the year
“It is weird to start in the same position I did last year and hopefully I don’t get injured,” Gosiewski said.
“I am just looking to play the best footy I can. Obviously Brendy is a very good player and it is unfortunate he has hurt himself but it is that next man up mentality we have got here.
“He’s got a bit of a knee injury so I am filling that spot at the moment. I am just trying to hopefully hold it down. I will see how I go.”
Gosiewski signed a one-year deal for 2026 and has been going up in increments of one lately. Another deal is the goal, although he understands why long-term contracts are hard to come by.
“I’d love to (re-sign). It would be hard to want to lock me down for a longer deal when my body lets me down but I am also happy to be able to put myself in a position to still be able to get a deal,” he said.
“It is a tough environment and a tough sport. A lot can happen quickly and a lot can change.
“I’m 32 this year so still mentally fresh but the body is getting to the other side of that. Everything hurts a little bit more once you get past 30 I reckon, but I still attack the game like I did when I was younger.
"My body has let me down over my career which is unfortunate but I am still here and still playing."
Perth Bears in 2027 and PNG Chiefs in 2028 are obvious options for a pro like Gosiewski on one level but he has just opened a business in Brisbane and has a three-year-old son who has settled into day care.
“It would be hard to see me going anywhere else. I really love Brisbane. It is close to home and close to a lot of good things but things can change really fast,” he said.
“I will stretch my football career out until my body won’t let me go any more.”
