Tanah Boyd admits he lost his way in the NRL but, with the help of his new sidekick, is back on track in the Gold Coast No.7.
And the halfback is confident his playmaking partner Kieran Foran will overcome his knee soreness to continue their bromance against St George Illawarra on Sunday.
Boyd began the season as he finished the last one for the Titans. He was solid in a first-round defeat of Wests Tigers to further cement himself as the side's permanent No.7.
With Toby Sexton, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell also in the mix, Boyd had been shuffled around since leaving Brisbane's development system in 2019.
Originally left out altogether, the Keebra Park graduate was then deployed off the bench, at five-eighth and hooker before eventually earning the No.7 for the final five games of 2022.
"I was a bit lost; didn't know where I kind of fitted," the 22-year-old said.
"But now I'm finding my home and it's given me a world of confidence.
"I'm going OK, loving it, feeling comfortable there ... but I want to evolve, keep getting better and getting wins with the boys."
Foran's arrival has fortified Boyd, the pair and their partners instantly clicking on and off the field.
"He's been so good for me in all areas of the game, and outside as well," Boyd said of 32-year-old Foran, who he has openly admitted was a childhood idol.
"It's good to find someone that loves talking footy like I do; I live and breathe it and he's the same.
"We go surfing together, try different foods, and it helps when the girls get along too.
"I do sometimes sit in the car and pinch myself and go, 'How is this happening?'.
"But you can't get carried away; you (have to) do your job or you're out the door."
Initial concerns of a serious knee injury for Foran have been downgraded, with the New Zealander named to suit up against the Dragons.
Bench utility Campbell is likely to step up if Foran is ruled out, with Boyd adamant any changes will not derail the side.
"Hopefuly (Foran) can be right, but we're not getting carried away and we've got JC there, if he has to slot in we know he's a class player," Boyd said.
"We hung in through some tough periods ... we've done a lot of work on our defence in the pre-season, it got tested and we did well."
