Ryan Papenhuyzen's long journey to injury recovery has helped inspire Melbourne rookie Jonah Pezet on his impressive start to life as an NRL player.
And Pezet is backing his housemate to return to his brilliant best once the 24-year-old finally shakes off his knee injury.
Tipped as a star of the future, 20-year-old Pezet found himself thrust into the first grade earlier than anticipated when Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes spent time on the sidelines in the opening month of the season.
Pezet let no one down, scoring a try on his NRL debut and finishing the three-game stint with two assists.
There has been more than one pinch-yourself moment for the young Pezet, who grew up a Storm fan.
"There are no better players to learn off than the people down here," he told AAP.
While Pezet has been soaking up the wisdom of Munster and Hughes on the park, he has also learned plenty from Papenhuyzen off it.
The fullback has not played since last July, when he began the long road to recovery after fracturing his right kneecap.
The injury blow came after Papenhuyzen had fought his way back from a serious concussion the season prior.
Papenhuyzen only began running again on grass last week - eight months after injuring his knee - and has spent time in the USA consulting with renowned specialist Bill Knowles.
He joined the Storm for team training on Monday in another sign his long-awaited return is approaching.
Living at such close quarters to Papenhuyzen has taught the young Pezet of the mental grit requisite for life in the NRL.
"He's going through a tough time but he's one of the most resilient blokes I know," Pezet said.
"He's pretty strong, he knows what he has to do.
"The support the club's given him as well, all 35 other players that we've got in our squad, we just rally around each other.
"It's just about when he's having the bad days, you don't need to go at him about doing the dishes or anything like that.
"He's one of the most positive blokes I know.
"Whenever he's back, he's going to be in flying form. He can't wait to get back out there with us."
Pezet is the first to acknowledge his time starting in the halves is over for the time being, given Hughes returns from suspension for the round-six clash with the Sydney Roosters.
After the win over South Sydney on Friday night, coach Craig Bellamy hinted there could be a position for Pezet as a bench utility covering Harry Grant at hooker.
Bellamy has long been a fan of carrying an extra rake in his 17 and Pezet played a similar role in the Queensland Cup last year.
"If they want me to do that, I'll do my role," Pezet said.
"I want to play as much NRL footy as I can. That's the dream and that's the goal."
