Penrith star Reagan Campbell-Gillard is confident a revamped running style will help to keep him on the paddock despite suffering two jaw breaks in six months.
Campbell-Gillard will again lead the Panthers pack in Sunday's opener against Parramatta after making a successful return from injury during the pre-season.
The former NSW and Kangaroos representative had his jaw wired shut following a serious collision with Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves last year.
The Panthers front-rower returned in time for the finals, however he was again sidelined for part of the summer after copping friendly fire during training.
But after coming through unscathed in both of the club's trial matches, Campbell-Gillard is banking on a major change in fortunes this year.
"It is a bit of a confidence booster to get through them (trials). I want to stay injury free this year," he said.
"I've still got niggly injuries that I'll have to get assessed each year, but major injuries, I'll touch every wood in this bloody place to stay injury-free.
"But I can't predict those things. I can try and avoid collisions like I did in that Roosters game, but yeah only time can tell I guess."
The 25-year-old vowed to stick solid with the alterations he made to his game despite his latest injury scare.
A healthy Campbell-Gillard will be key for a Panthers pack that has lost veteran Trent Merrin and second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera from last year.
"With the jaw, it's obviously just picking my moments of when I have to run dead straight at someone," he said.
"I've tried to change my style a little bit this year. But when the team needs it, I think I can do those types of runs and get the team firing there.
"With Penrith investing another contract in me, I've got to repay that. And it's not ideal that I'm on the sidelines watching them when I should be out there playing.
"This year should be a little bit different."
