The NRL rarely stands still.
Between training sessions, media appearances, and behind-the-scenes conversations, new storylines often begin to emerge before the weekend arrives.
Throughout the week, ESPN will be gathering notes, insights, and updates from around the competition as clubs prepare for Round 7.
Kamikamica visit lifts struggling Storm
Melbourne players have been boosted on the eve of their crucial NRL clash with Canberra with prop Tui Kamikamica returning to the club from his rehabilitation facility.
Kamikamica suffered a stroke earlier this month and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.
The Fiji Test captain spent time in intensive care and then in rehabilitation but was released on Thursday morning and headed straight to Storm headquarters.
He surprised the players at a meeting, being embraced by his teammates before they started their final training session ahead of Friday night's match in Canberra.
With Melbourne (2-4) in unfamiliar territory, looking to avoid a 14-year low of five straight losses, coach Craig Bellamy hoped the return of Kamikamica could help lift the struggling team.
"Yeah, he's been through a tough time, a real tough time, and to see him back and, quite honestly, as good as he looks, that's good," Bellamy said.
"He's still got a little way to go apparently, but it's great to see him back and hopefully having him back here, just for the training session, lifts the boys a little bit, lifts their spirits.
"We're probably down on that a little bit, but hopefully that'll give us a little bit of an uplift."
- AAP
Luai leading from the front
Following Benji Marshall's comments around his return being on track, Jarome Luai is expected to be named for the Tigers this week. Despite his absence, Luai's teammates said his influence has been just just as impactful off field.
"Behind the scenes, what he's done not just for me but for all the spine (players), he's a great player and a great role model," Latu Fainu said of his captain.
Api Koroisau echoed Fainu's sentiment of Luai, commending him for his leadership and influence on the side.
"Jarome's the ultimate competitor," Koroisau said.
"He brings a lot of energy... we're so different as people, so he brings a whole different perspective .
"He helps me out a lot in terms of trying to lead this team around."
While Luai is known as a larrikin and a charismatic leader, Koroisau admitted Tigers head coach Benji Marshall is a little more stern.
"What you see is what you get with Benji," Koroisau admitted.
"He wasn't happy with the last 15 minutes of the game on the weekend, so he made sure to let us know about it."
Latu learning to love life at lock
Latu Fainu has admitted he's embraced the lock role at the Tigers, despite being brought in as a half.
"I've been playing lock at the moment, which is like another half, you just make a lot more tackles," he laughed.
Fainu said while he's used to the increased workload defensively, he's hoping to put on a bit more weight to help him own the lock role.
"I've kind of lost weight," he shared, "so I'm just trying to gain the weight back."
Manly soaring with new lease on life
Manly interim coach Kieran Foran has dragged the Sea Eagles off rock bottom since taking over, and his players have backed him to take on the job fulltime.
Taniela Paseka admitted that "everyone's a bit happier," since Foran took over, having now won two games on the trot.
"He's a great coach, so if the opportunity (to remain full-time) comes in, he'll probably be a great head coach."
While Paseka added "it was weird" having his former teammate as a coach at first, Jake Simpkin admitted Foran has taken the edge off since coming in.
"He's been awesome for us... really simplified our game and probably just took a bit off pressure of a lot of us."
Watson the Sea Eagle?
Paseka also discussed the links around Sydney Roosters star Connor Watson to Manly, and believes he'd be a good asset to the squad.
"He's played Origin. Anyone who's played Origin is a great addition," he said.
"He's playing good footy at the Roosters.. it's be good to have someone like him with a bit of experience as well."
Paseka also admitted the fire inside him to become a top five prop is still very much aflame.
"You want to play your best footy, and I believe now that I'm there, so if I can keep performing for this team it'll speak for itself," he shared.
He said that he's been trying to share lessons around simplifying his game down to young gun Simione Laiafi.
"He's my roomie, so I've been speaking to him a lot about being calm," Paseka admitted.
"I think if you get real heated, you can, like, burn out very quickly. I've learnt that."
One-eyed Jurbo
Jake Trbojevic went down with a nasty head injury in Manly's win over the Dragons, with his eye swelling completely shut.
"His eyes swelled up quite a bit," his brother Ben Trbojevic recalled.
"Not too sure of the diagnosis, but hopefully it'll be right for this week.... Just gotta let the medical staff do the thing, and we'll see what happens."
Teammate Corey Waddell said "it was probably good news from the scan," and hopes he'll be right to play against the Cowboys this week.
