The Sydney Roosters have admitted they must ease the load on workhorse Jake Friend or risk burning out their captain.
The Tri-colours No.9 was forced to make 62 tackles in their thumping at the hands of Cronulla on Saturday, fuelling concerns from teammates he is carrying too heavy a load and being blunted in attack.
The Noosa product is highly regarded by his peers due to his tireless work ethic, with statistics showing he has averaged more tackles per game than any other player over the last 20 years.
According to Fox Sports Stats, Friend has made 8645 tackles during his 204-game career at an average of 40.1.
Since records began being kept in 1998, Friend sits only behind Cameron Smith (12,974 tackles), Nathan Hindmarsh (12,023) and Corey Parker (10,464) on the NRL's most tackles list.
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His average however is ahead of every other player to have played the game in that time, with his teammates marvelling at his ability to stay on the park.
"Because I stand next to him on the footy field, I see and feel what he does," Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves said.
"He goes well above and beyond. It is a credit to him. He's the toughest and most resilient guy I've ever stood next to.
"He's got a saying - it doesn't matter how you feel or how well you prepare, you've still got to turn up and deliver.
"He's definitely a tough bugger."
After last year topping the most tackles list, he has averaged the second most tackles this year (45.7) only behind Brisbane's Andrew McCullough (47.1).
Friend's presence shapes as key as the Roosters attempt to bounce back against South Sydney on Friday night without their State of Origin contingent.
Waerea-Hargreaves said it was for the good of the team that the rest of the side take on some of that burden and free up Friend in attack.
"I think it's something we've learnt over the years that if we all spread that workload, he's so much more effective in attack," he said.
"He has developed himself into an all-round player when he gets around and kicks and runs and brings Pearcey (Mitch Pearce) onto the ball. Pearcey and (Luke) Keary, they do all the fancy stuff, but when you throw Friendy into that spine, he's the glue that brings it all together."
IRONMEN
Most tackles by NRL players since records started being kept in 1998
* Cameron Smith 12974 (37.3 per game)
* Nathan Hindmarsh 12023 (36.4)
* Corey Parker 10464 (30.2)
* Jake Friend 8645 (40.1)
* Robbie Farah 8347 (31.9)
Source: Fox Sports Stats
