Not since grabbing eight majors early in 2018 has Greater Western Sydney forward Jesse Hogan started the year in such red-hot form.
Hard to beat in the air and dangerous on the ground, Hogan has finally re-emerged as one of the most damaging forwards in the competition.
The 29-year-old kicked four goals in the Giants' opening-round 32-point smacking of Collingwood before backing up his haul with six more in their decisive 39-point mauling of North Melbourne on Saturday.
His resurgence was far from guaranteed, with Hogan enduring spells lost in the footy wilderness, dogged by injuries, serious illness and mental stress.
Throughout his 142-game career spread over Melbourne, Fremantle and GWS, Hogan has struggled with ankle, knee and foot injuries.
In 2017 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
But after a career-best season in 2023, when he kicked 49 goals across 23 games, the Perth product is playing with the same grit that got him drafted as an underage player in 2013.
"The last 18 months have been pretty fun. It's probably the most fun period I've had playing footy," Hogan said on Monday.
"My body's been pretty good to me over the last 18 months.
"I'm putting more time into recovery - pilates, extra stuff with the physio.
"It's a bit cliche but I'm getting a little bit older now.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, just having to put a little bit more time into it."
Asked whether he feels the most confident he has been in his career, Hogan said: "I'm not too sure. We're only two rounds in.
"We've had some pretty high-scoring games so it's good to be on the end of a few - but we played an extra game so there's not that much to look into.
"Having faith that you've done the work during the pre-season allows you to go out and just play footy.
"There's not much to it. It just gives you confidence in your body."
Hogan returns home this weekend when the Giants make the five-hour flight to Perth to take on West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
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