Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen said he felt "really good" after returning from a 405-day injury lay-off in a 37-16 win over the Titans but did admit he went through some "dark days".
Papenhuyzen started on the bench and was injected into the game in the 61st minute - his first piece of NRL action since suffering a gruesome knee injury against the Raiders in Round 18 of last season (July 17, 2022).
Papenhuyzen was typically lively in his 19 minute stint, playing a roving role in the middle of the field, with the Storm breaking open the game when he came on, outscoring the Titans 19-0.
The 25-year-old premiership winning player returned to the NRL through a few games with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the QLD Cup, which he credited as important to his confidence levels.