Kyle Turner has learned some tough life lessons from his trials and tribulations this NRL season.
But the South Sydney back-rower says his neck and concussion troubles no longer play on his mind.
Turner underwent neck surgery in February after suffering a potentially career-threatening injury in the All Stars' season opener. In his return to the NRL in round 21 he was knocked out, adding to a series of concussions he has endured over the past three seasons.
But the waters have calmed significantly since for the 23-year-old. He has played three successive NRL games ahead of the Rabbitohs' final round showdown with arch-rivals Sydney Roosters.
"I haven't really focused on it to be honest, I've sort of just tried to play a good game of football, that's what the team needs from me," Turner said.
"You can learn the life lessons from it, not to take anything for granted but my main focus is the finals and this week.
"I don't really worry about it, if I think if I think about it too much I'll let it affect my game and I can't really do that, the boys need me to be on my game."
Turner said he is closing in on the type of form he hoped to be in at the business end of the season.
"I'm still learning and getting the match fitness in there but I think I'm certainly getting up to scratch with it, the boys are helping me along there and leading me along the way," he said.
"Glenn Stewart has taken me under his wing and I'm just trying to play some consistent football.
"It's great [learning from Stewart], he's got all the knowledge in the world and he's a real leader of the team which is what us young boys look up to."
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