If Gold Coast youngster Max King was unsure about returning to the crash and bash of rugby league it would be understandable.
Only 21, King has undergone four shoulder reconstructions in the past five years.
The latest of those happened midway through the 2018 NRL season when King dislocated his right shoulder against South Sydney.
It halted an impressive year for the forward, who had played in all 12 games he'd been available for up to that point.
After another lengthy rehabilitation, King will return to action on Saturday when the Titans face North Queensland in a pre-season trial match on the Sunshine Coast.
King says he's got no worries about throwing himself back into the physical contest despite his wretched luck with injury.
"Usually I'm pretty sweet with it. I'm probably on the other side of that where I'm a bit too reckless with coming back early," King said.
"Once the specialist and the physio give me the green light I've got full confidence in them.
"They've given me a shoulder brace but I'm fine upstairs and happy to rip in."
King has made 29 appearances in the past two seasons for the Titans as he's emerged into a first grade regular.
He says competition for places in Garth Brennan's squad has never been more intense however heading into the 2019 campaign.
"The club's definitely on the way up and it's great to see," he said.
"I don't think there's a position in the team that's secure yet. It's great to have a healthy team, to be really competitive and it makes for a great 2019."
Australian Associated Press
