James Roberts says his first full pre-season with the Broncos will make a huge difference when the 2017 NRL season kicks off.
The centre scored nine tries last season after a limited preparation, but has been at pre-season training with the Broncos since November ahead of his second campaign with Brisbane after making a switch from the Titans.
"I'm feeling really good this year," he told the Broncos website.
"It felt like I was being heavily marked last year but I think I was a bit underdone in my fitness when I came back because it wasn't until January.
"This year I have a full pre-season and I feel a lot more a part of the club and the combinations are better.
"That six weeks of training before Christmas will make a massive difference and I feel like I have been here for a while now.
"That is much better for me, so hopefully I can do what I did at the Gold Coast and even better."
Making him feel even more comfortable is the sight of another former Gold Coast player, David Mead, outside him.
The pair combined for 21 tries on the right-hand side of the field for the Titans in 2015, and are keen to reunite on the field.
"He was outside me the majority of that year so we have a pretty good combination," Roberts said.
"He is always pushing me, especially when I am getting tired - and he really helps me in both attack and defence.
"I can't wait to get out there with him."
