Daniel Saifiti cringes when he thinks about some of the things he was doing or wasn't doing as a 19-year-old NRL player.
His lack of professionalism, the nights out on the drink after games when the results didn't really matter a whole lot and getting around town thinking he was better than he actually was.
Five years on, would he change any of it?
"Nah, I don't think I would," he says. "I think it's help make me the person I am today...the player I am today as well.
"You look back now and you are 19 playing NRL and you just like being an NRL player. That was enough.
"You're still really just a kid and going out every weekend and having a good time. I look back now and know that it was bad culture. I was definitely a bit loose off the field and probably thought I was better than I was.
"But I'm not sure I would be where I am today without that experience to learn from."
Where he is today is an Origin prop, rated one of the best in the game, who is just about to lead the Knights out as co-captain in his 100th NRL game against the Bulldogs tomorrow night.
All at just 24.
Saifiti says he is realistic about the milestone.
"If it was Melbourne or the Roosters I was playing for, it might have only been 50 or 60 games and looking back when I started, it was easy getting a jersey because there was no-one else," he said.
"But going through those first two or three years and only winning three or four games....getting through that to where I am now, it's a pretty special feeling. Like I said, it's made me the player I am and I'm now glad I had to go through it."
Saifiti says the turning point in his career came the day David Klemmer and Tim Glasby arrived at the club. They brought with them values and standards he had never experienced up close before.
"We started to sign some good players and when big Klem and Glaz came here and just watching them, I learned so much stuff and I realised how far off I was from taking my game to the next level.
"Those boys coming in completely changed my thinking and helped my progression as a player and a leader. It was just asking constant questions and looking at what they did during every session. Three or four years ago, hopping into an ice bath at training was completely foreign to me whereas now, it's a non-negotiable. That's a small one but it's just things like that.
"I actually cringe now when I remember back to some of the things I was doing at 19. But I suppose that is part of growing up.
"Klem in particular came and took me under his wing and showed me what I needed to do on and off the field and at training to become professional. Within that year, I made Origin. That's no coincidence. I owe him a lot."
Saifiti admits he has never captained a side before and the realisation he will lead the side out against the Dogs "is still sinking in".
"It feels like yesterday I was running out against the Gold Coast for my first game. You do have to pinch yourself at times," he says. "You look at the captains of this club before me - to be forever etched in Knights history as a captain, when you think about it like that, I just shake my head. I've got Brails [co-captain Jayden Brailey] next to me who is more than deserving as well and I think we balance each other out with what we both bring. But it's still going to be a test for us on Friday night.
"Jake [twin brother] was captain growing up in pretty much all the sides we played in but I always felt like and tried my best to be a leader with my actions and that type of stuff.
"I'll definitely be more nervous than normal but I don't think nerves will be a bad thing. It's just a matter of not over-playing my hand too much and do what got me into this position and just lead the boys from the front."
