It's hard to believe that anyone can be considered a journeyman of the league at the age of just 24, but that's exactly the prospect Melbourne Storm recruit Brenko Lee will face when he runs out at his fourth NRL club this season.
After previous stints with the Raiders and Bulldogs, Lee joins the Storm following two inconsistent years with the Titans and heads south with a point to prove to himself and his peers that he can still be a force in the competition.
Veteran coach Craig Bellamy has a reputation of turning around the fortunes of unwanted players and that's exactly what Lee is hoping occurs during his time with the Storm.
"Craig and I have had a good chat about what the club is about and what he expects from his players and I think I needed to get it from him in black and white as to what you can do and what you can't do," Lee told NRL.com earlier this week.
"So many players have had their careers changed because of Craig and it can't just be a fluke as he has done it so many times.
Lee impressed with tight-knit team
"Coming down here is an opportunity I want to take with two hands and when you buy into a winning culture (at the Storm) you forget how to lose.
"Losing is not a conversation at the Melbourne Storm and I suppose that is why they have been the benchmark of the competition for the last 10 years.
"Now it's my turn, so I want to work hard and take the opportunity that has been presented."
Lee has already seen first hand what's required under Bellamy, with the Tongan international freely admitting that the pre-season he has just endured has been the most difficult he has ever encountered.
But that pre-season has helped him put a tumultuous 12 months at the Titans behind him, where he managed just six appearances for the team that won four matches and claimed the dreaded wooden spoon.
"I think I learned a lot about myself in the last two years there," Lee said of his time on the Gold Coast.
"It was the first time I had been back with my family since I was 16 and I think I got the balance wrong with footy and family.
"When my footy started going a bit down I sort of tried to take myself away from everything when I really needed to hit it front on.
"So I am glad I got that out of the way at a young age and now it is a fresh start here and something I am really excited for."
Bellamy visits NY Fire Department
Lee will get his first chance to make an impression with his new employers in Perth this weekend when he represents the Storm at the NRL Nines.
Former Storm hard man Jason Ryles will fill in for Bellamy at the Nines and he expects Lee to prove a standout during the pre-season showcase.
"He (Lee) is a genuine footy player and I think this game (Nines) will probably suit him," Ryles said.
"He has come here with a real good attitude and a determination to better himself and it is a credit to him.
"Now it is about going out and playing some footy and showing us what he can do."
Official NRL Travel packages, including NRL Nines tickets, accommodation options and exclusive experiences with NRL Legends can be purchased via www.nrl.com/travel
