BOOM Brisbane forward Tevita Pangai Jnr has revealed an unlikely mentor as he aims to make a difference in the NRL side’s run to the finals.

After training strongly on Tuesday, the 22-year-old is hopeful of returning to play Penrith on Friday following a hamstring strain that kept him out of last round’s heavy loss to the New Zealand Warriors.

Pangai has been a revelation for the Broncos despite his temperamental hamstrings, with the off-contract forward’s signature in high demand next season.

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Round 20

He says time alongside teammate Matt Lodge had a lot to do with that, crediting the maligned prop’s game smarts and new-found maturity for his own rise.

Lodge was given another chance by the Broncos after his well-documented New York rampage and according to Pangai is making the most of it.

“He’s been important for me; he’s a footy head and will probably be a coach after he retires,” the young prop said.

“He knows his footy and he and Josh McGuire teach me a fair bit.

“He’s (Lodge) made a few mistakes and grown since then - I’m just happy with the person he’s become today.” Lodge said his mate “can be awesome” for the eighth-placed Broncos. “We need him to go well; it will be good to have him back this week,” Lodge said.

“Everyone knows he’s a danger and hard to handle.”

Captain Darius Boyd agreed, but also said he was guilty of pushing his body too far.

The Tongan talent has played just two NRL games since June 16 but could provide some fresh legs for the Broncos’ run towards the finals.

“We need him on the field; he wants to be better and probably overtrains occasionally and wants to get the best out of himself,” Boyd said.

“But he’s one of our stars, a young kid that’s only going to get better and we haven’t seen the best of him yet.” The man himself agreed his eagerness may’ve been to his detriment in the past. “I want to be the best athlete I can be; sometimes I try and overdo it being young,” Pangai said.

“I need to find the balance there ... it’s been pretty frustrating, but hopefully I can help the club finish off strong.”

After training well on Tuesday, NSW Origin centre James Roberts and forward Joe Ofahengaue (knee) are also tipped to come in and help a squad further depleted thanks to Jaydn Su’A’s season-ending broken ankle.