Brisbane winger Jesse Arthars has revealed how he lost and regained eight kilograms after suffering a broken jaw.
The 25-year-old spent two months on the sidelines after sustaining the injury against Sydney Roosters in round 10 and wasted away initially after eating through a straw.
He came back against former club the Warriors in the 32-16 loss last week and is now ready to take on Penrith in the grand final re-match at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
"It is good to be back. I had a pretty big stint on the sideline and it was a difficult one because I'd never really had an injury like that so I am pretty glad to have got through it and be back out on the field," Arthars said.
"It was really awkward and uncomfortable. I had a pretty strict diet of smoothies and soups. It was pretty hard for someone like me.
"I need to eat a fair bit to keep the weight on. I lost about eight kilos which was pretty bad. I am glad I put it all back on. Once I could eat again I was trying to eat as much as I could. I am about 96 kilos now."
Arthars was one of the best players on the field in Brisbane's heartbreaking grand-final loss to the Panthers last year.
"That was a game where I feel like I played really well," he said.
"Through the off-season I wanted to build on that and come back through a strong pre-season. I felt like I did that. Whenever we play Penrith and the best teams in the comp I want to put my best foot forward. I have every confidence in the world."
Arthars has been one of Brisbane's most accomplished performers in the past 18 months and it was a heartening sign he was not hesitant in his NRL return against the Warriors.
"We put a lot of faith in the physios and doctors and them telling us what we need to do for our recovery and rehab," he said.
"I wasn't worried at all. There were a few contacts in that game that rattled that jaw a bit but if you are going to dwell on that it is not going to help your footy. I just try and keep it all positive."
