Tom Trbojevic's ongoing hamstring horrors had raised questions around his long-term trajectory, but the Sea Eagles star has returned in career-best touch with rare playmaking prowess to boot.
An NRL.com Stats analysis reveals Trbojevic's stunning six try involvements against the Warriors on Sunday make his past month the most fruitful of his seven years in the Telstra Premiership.
Trbojevic's 13 try involvements (five tries himself and eight assists) since regaining full fitness leave his previous hot streaks in the shade – including hauls in 2019 either side of another two-month injury absence.
His remarkable ability to hit the ground running in 2021 only underlines his status as the NRL's most influential player in terms of their team's performances.
The 24-year-old's stats sheet across four games this season reads a phenomenal five tries, eight assists (equal seventh in the NRL), nine line breaks (equal sixth), line break assists (equal ninth), 210 run metres per game (third) and five tackle busts per game (equal ninth).
Just four games have been enough for Trbojevic to rack up nine Dally M points as well to have him sitting equal sixth for the game's highest individual honour.
Manly have shot to ninth on the ladder since Trbojevic's return, piling up an average of 38 points in wins over the Titans, Tigers and Warriors with a loss to Penrith in between.
Trbojevic's ball-playing in particular has come to the fore of late, a fair progression from the public sprays Brad Fittler would deliver regarding his regular forward passes.
"We didn't really play much footy over the past year, so I have had a lot of time to practise it," Trbojevic said after Sunday's masterclass.
Episode 11 - Todd Payten
"I think having a stable spine, having Foz and Chez [halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans] there are very experienced and Crokes [Lachlan Croker] is coming into his own at No.9. It gives you opportunities.
"It wasn't perfect, one hit the ground early and another went forward that should have got right. But it's something a fullback wants to develop in their game and some came off [against the Warriors]."
Trbojevic and coach Des Hasler were at pains to play down his personal haul in a performance in which Manly leaked 32 points leaked at Lottoland.
The No.1 looms as a potent option once more in Friday's Magic Round clash against the Broncos with prop Marty Taupau set to return from concussion and Trbojevic at his most potent when his forwards lay on quick play-the-balls.
Trbojevic was reluctant to label his latest injury lay-offs a blessing in disguise as well given the Sea Eagles' struggles when he missed the start of 2021 through recurring hamstring injuries.
Get Caught Up: Round 9 must-see moments
"You obviously watch a bit of footy. It's hard missing games," Trbojevic said.
"It makes you work harder. I haven't played much footy over the past few years and you know the effect it has on the team.
"It motivates you to come in every day and want to be better. You have to be better.
Every try from Round 9
"It's obviously my fourth game of footy this year. Some games you're on and some games you're not.
"It's about finding that consistency. I'll look to continue to do that.
"As a team there were patches there where we were pretty poor. We let in 32 points, that's not good enough."
