It was a long-awaited return to the football field for David Fifita on Saturday night, and speaking to titans.com.au, the barnstorming forward had mixed emotions post-game.
Fifita, who returned a week earlier than expected, enthused excitement to be back on the field contributing to his side, but also bitter disappointment in the result.
He was a shining light for the Titans as they succumb to the Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium and now that the first game is in the books the forward will look to build on his minutes and contributions in the coming weeks.
"It has been hard the last couple of weeks for myself watching on, but it is good to be back out there," he said.
"I was feeling it for the first game of the year but it was good to be out there with the boys and build those combinations.
"I know the effort is there, but we just need to be accountable in our roles."
Fifita is excited about increasing his contributions now that he has got through the first game of his season.
"I look forward to next week and training hard this week," Fifita said.
"I got called up into the office (earlier this week) and Des said 'are you up for a footy game?'
"I was happy and I am a week earlier than planned, so I am glad that I got this game in and got some reps in and can now move forward and help get our season on track.
"For myself was just trying to get back in there and get the groove of the game. It is a tough game and I am just taking it week by week."
Fifita said he and his teammates were cognisant of the Titans' Members and fans and wanting to deliver a result for them.
"It is really good that our fans are coming every week and at the moment we aren't getting the results that everyone is after but we are doing everything we can," he said.
"Myself and JC being back is good and you can see improvement and it is slowly getting there but we just have to keep building for them (Members and fans)."