THE unlikely helper in Clint Gutherson’s recovery from his knee reconstruction.

One of South Sydney’s rising stars is lifting the bar at training.

Plus, the goal kicker for the Gold Coast has been revealed, as Private Ryan takes you behind the scenes of the greatest game of all.

MR TOP FIVE, TOP TARGET

Round 19

SOUTH Sydney have half of their top squad off-contract this season but this man their next retention target.

Having recently re-signed Cody Walker, the club has turned their attention to promising backrower Tyrell Fuimaono.

Tyrell Fuimaono of the Rabbitohs is tackled. Source: AAP

The only problem for the Bunnies is, the young gun is in no hurry to sort his future.

The 21-year-old, who can also play centre, has been a standout performer in the pre-season.

In fact, Fuimaono has finished within the top five for every pre-season test the Rabbitohs have done this season and it was no fluke.

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“One of my goals is to be top five in everything,” Fuimaono told Private Ryan.

“Whether it’s in speed or strength, if I can put myself in the top five, I’m going to give myself the best chance for the whole year.

“We are on the same team but we’ve been competing with each other whether it’s on the gym or the field, if we’re competing with each other the standard of training is going to be high and we’ve done that well this season.”

Having made his NRL debut last year, making 15 appearances, Fuimaono is determined to grow on his rookie season.

Tyrell Fuimaono of the Rabbitohs is tackled. Source: Getty Images

With a personal goal of playing consistent first grade and a team goal to make the top eight, his commitment to training has paved a clear path for him to race towards.

“I’ve been top five. I’m ticking boxes,” he confessed.

“You need to have things to motivate you. Having things like that keep you on the right path. I want to be as ready as I can if I get picked for round one to play the best footy I can.”

A versatile character that can slot into the forwards or backline, Fuimaono is happy to switch between positions if it means securing a spot in Anthony Seibold’s 17.

Having played his rep football and juniors with the Eels switching between the positions, he looms as an important piece of the Rabbitohs’ make-up this year.

While the likes of NRL veteran John Sutton, Robbie Farah and Jason Clark are unsigned beyond 2018, it’s Fuimaono who the Rabbits are making a priority to re-sign.

Tyrell Fuimaono of the Rabbitohs runs the ball. Source: Getty Images

“I wouldn’t say I feel pressure,” he said of being off-contract.

“I just focus on playing my best footy and the rest will take care of itself.

“My goal is to play consistent NRL throughout the year and that’s going to be my best bargaining tool if I can do that.

“My main priority is playing good footy and not the contract stuff.”

HUSH, HUSH

Which half and his coach are at loggerheads over team selections?

This player wants to swap a member of their spine with a rookie as they’ve struck up quite the combination at training but the coach won’t budge.

GUTHO LEANS ON T-REX

He’s the unlikely aid in Clint Gutherson’s recovery.

While returning from an ACL injury isn’t something foreign to the Parramatta star, it can be a lonely existence.

New recruit Tony Williams knows the feeling well.

The 29-year-old is on the comeback from his own knee reconstruction and become a shoulder to lean on for Gutherson since arriving at the club from Cronulla in November.

“Rex has been massive for me this rehab,” Gutherson said.

Clint Gutherson of the Eels makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

“Before he was there, I was doing it by myself and it was a bit depressing to be honest.

“You see the same people, the same room you’re rehabbing (and) it gets a bit boring and repetitive.

“With Rex coming this year, I knew him at Manly as a young 16-17-year-old trying to tackle him on the wing so I’ve known him for a while and Rex has been real good.

“He’s an old head who has done it all. He’s won comps, he’s played for Australia, so rehabbing with him has been special.

“We’ve built a bit of a friendship. We’ve been there for the last four or five months working with each other, it’s pretty big.”

DID YOU KNOW ...

Last Monday foxsports.com.au revealed Jason Nightingale has hired a bus to transport the Sydney based Dragons players to training in Wollongong.

These trips have been going for a few weeks now with the bus dubbed ‘Tonya’ ice skater Tonya Harding.

A couple of naughty boys on my bus this week. pic.twitter.com/WWZ28GTUS1 — The Dragons Bus (@TheDragonsBus) February 13, 2018

Nightingale and James Graham saw the video the day before the players started brainstorming names with wives, partners and ex-girlfriends on the banned list.

With the bus gaining great exposure through Fox Sports online and NRL360, Nightingale told Private Ryan he and his teammates will be holding competitions for the public to snare a seat on the bus as the year rolls on.

Give their Instagram and Twitter a follow to stay in the loop.

TITAN TO TAKE THE TEE

Ash Taylor and Michael Gordon at Titans training. Source: Supplied

Michael Gordon has snatched the goal kicking duties off Ash Taylor.

While Taylor kicked 38 goals last year in a season where he shared goal kicking duties with Tyrone Roberts-Davis and Kane Elgey, the former Roosters has revealed he’ll start the season with the kicking tee.

“I’m putting my head up for the job,” Gordon declared.

“They can battle it out for second string.”

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