DANIEL Saifiti reckons his twin brother Jacob has only scratched the surface of his potential as he prepares to play his 50th NRL game for the Knights, against Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.
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The towering siblings played their first game together in 14 months in last week's 30-6 loss to Manly at Brookvale.
After suffering a fractured shoulder against Gold Coast on May 19 last year, Jacob was sidelined for the rest of the season.
A broken ankle he sustained in a much-publicised off-field incident extended his top-grade absence until Newcastle's round-16 loss to the Warriors this season, a game Daniel missed because of State of Origin commitments.
After 441 days, they were reunited midway through the second half against Manly and Daniel said it was a special moment for each of Newcastle's "Twin Towers".
Sport: The Newcastle Knights
"Obviously when we were on the field together, the game was pretty much unwinnable, but it was pretty surreal standing next to him in the defensive line, and in attack, too," Daniel said.
"It was a cool moment for us and our family, but hopefully it's a better occasion this week."
Daniel said having Jacob back "felt like home again, because I've been playing with him since juniors".
The Saifitis debuted in the NRL together in round one, 2016, and in that season Jacob made more appearances (nine) in Newcastle's starting line-up than Daniel (four).
Daniel has since taken his game to the next level, representing NSW in two games in this year's series triumph.
He believes Jacob has the ability to make up for lost time and eventually follow in his footsteps.
"Growing up, he was always better than me, that's the thing," Daniel said.
"When we first came into grade, I knew I was an out-and-out front-rower ... whereas he was a bit skinnier than me, so he could play back row and front row.
"He sort of didn't know his identity, but he knows he's a front-rower now.
"He knows he's a middle player, so I think he can be better than me, if he sticks his mind to it.
"He's a great player, and the thing about Jacob is his mindset and his determination."
Daniel was delighted about Jacob reaching the 50-game milestone, a feat he managed himself in round seven last season.
"He was obviously stuck on 48 for a while ... so it's a big achievement for him," Daniel said.
"I'm very happy for him. He should be proud of where he's been.
"He's overcome a lot of things. Some people might never have come back from the things he's come through, the injuries and off-field stuff.
"So it's a credit to him, how far he's come.
"He inspires me and I dare say I wouldn't have played [Origin] this year if it wasn't for him."
Daniel admitted he was not satisfied with his own form since returning from the Origin series. The Knights have lost five consecutive games, and Daniel has played in four of them.
Another loss to Parramatta could leave them four points outside the top eight with just four rounds to play.
"I definitely haven't been doing what got me into Origin," Daniel said.
"I probably had one good game against the Tigers and other than that, I've sat down with the coaches and had a real heart-to-heart talk.
"It was a bit of a reality check to be honest with you. It's disappointing ... I was probably guilty of just thinking everything was going to happen.
"I've played at the highest level and coming back to club footy [I thought] it was just going to happen. I just wasn't doing off the field what got me into Origin."
The 23-year-old said the Knights "definitely haven't given up" on their finals quest.
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