He was rocking up for the start of pre-season training with skin-folds through the roof and in desperate need of shedding weight after an over-indulgent off-season.

That was before the likes of Tim Glasby and David Klemmer arrived at the club and showed he and his brother Daniel what professionalism was all about both on and off the training paddock.

The transformation from then to now could not be more stark.

Saifiti finished last season, easily his best in the NRL, weighing just 109 kgs, a whopping 13 kgs lighter than when he was at his biggest. And instead of needing to shed weight during his off-season break, coach Adam O'Brien told him to stack it on.

"Adz just said to me to come back [to pre-season training] bigger," Saifiti said.

"I think I finished the year about 109 kg which is by far the lightest I've ever been. I lost a bit of size so Adz wanted me to come back fitter and be a bit bigger for next year.

"I just smashed the weights and ate a bit more. I did more upper body weights and I didn't run as much as I normally do because that's what gets me. When I run, the weight just falls off me.

"I did run to get ready for pre-season but not as much as I would normally. They wanted me to come back at 113 and I'm right on target."

Saifiti is aware of the difference in his body shape more than anyone and what it has done for his game.

Now it's about taking his game to another level again, like Daniel has done over the past couple of seasons.

"When I was 122 kgs, I was fatter and less agile and not playing good footy," he said.

"Now, I'm putting some high expectations on myself for next year.

"I was pretty happy with my season but training well, that's the main thing. It starts from now with the pre-season, training hard and just building from there."

Saifiti was in the crowd in Adelaide and Brisbane to support his twin brother in Origins I and III but said he is not consumed by wanting to emulate him by playing Origin as well.

"I was just there as a supportive brother," he said. "I was just so proud of the way he played. My goal though is just to play consistent footy.

"If I play good every week, stuff like that will be rewarded."

As for seriously challenging his brother and Klemmer for a starting role in 2021 amid suggestions he is just content to come off the bench, Saifiti says he is happy to do what's best for the coach and the team.

"It's not that I'm content with a bench role, I'm just content wherever the team needs me to be," he said.

"At the moment, I just think the bench spot is the best place for me and best for the team.

"I'd love to start every week. When Daniel was out and I played those four or five weeks starting, I loved it.

"If it is starting, I'd love it but wherever Adz wants me to play and wherever's best for the team, that's where I'll play. "