Regardless of how good you are, you’re always going to have something that doubts you’re capacities. And even though you reach the highest of levels and manage to play in the National Rugby League, you always need to prove that you’re worthy of it.
The NRL features the best league players from across the world and everybody expects a lot from the "star" players that they know.
Today, we’re going to discuss three of the best Rugby League players in our competition. Guys that turn heads wherever they go and that can demolish all opposition but still have something to prove this season.
(This is part one of a three-part series)
Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Since his historic Grand Final berth, even G.I himself would admit that the past three seasons haven't been great.
Inglis has been no stranger to the sideline, in and out of training due to consecutive injuries.
Though, in 2017 would come the most heartbreaking of them all. How one leg injury almost tarnished Inglis' decorated career. The Queensland star checked into a mental health facility, emphasising his devastation.
Thankfully, Inglis would overcome his struggles and has returned to training ahead of this season.
Will the freakish Inglis that we once knew rise above combatants and lead his Souths side back into the top eight? Has his athletic ability weakened during the process of his rehabilitation?
Those are all questions that will be answered when Inglis finally runs out with the Rabbitohs after his one year spell out of the game, and the Rugby League community is eagerly anticipating the return of one of their favourite sons, Greg Inglis.
Mitchell Pearce (Newcastle Knights)
Walking out on the Sydney Roosters, Mitchell Pearce is once again under the spotlight of the media.
Much of the Rugby League community have criticised Pearce's departure from the Bondi club believing he's missing out on a rare opportunity to learn from Cooper Cronk. After being told he would have to sit out on the bench, Pearce reluctantly rejected Trent Robinson and the side that he'd played over ten years with.
Inking a new deal with the Newcastle Knights, Pearce will look to make a statement. To prove to Newcastle faithful of the direction he's willing to steer the club into, and to remind the Roosters of who they lost grasp of.
Pearce will combine with Newcastle young halves Connor Watson and Kalyn Ponga, and is bound to forge a formidable combination that might turn the Knights powerful potential into old playing points.
Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
Jarryd Hayne's journey to the NFL has been nothing short of remarkable. While many Americans strive to even be in contention to be selected in the 50-man squad for the San Francisco 49ers, Hayne barged his way through and managed to squeeze six games under his belt.
Then transitioning over to Rugby Union, Hayne's bid to represent Fiji at the Rugby 7's fell short. He ultimately returned to where it all began, returning to the club that recruited the athlete at the age of 16, the Parramatta Eels.
Before the well-illustrated Eels' poster-boy would return, he experienced a series of heartache with the Gold Coast Titans. Many believe it was a case of selfishness, that Hayne didn't train accordingly due to his status. But the problem at hand seems as though Hayne just isn't the superstar that we once knew.
In 2018, Jarryd Hayne has the chance to prove myself and thousands of Rugby League fans wrong. A chance to silence the critiques of the fans of Parramatta, who themselves once idolised the 'Hayne Plane'.
Jarryd Hayne's career is on a threshold and if he doesn't pull up his socks this season, then it may well be his last chance to resurrect his incredible career.
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