Once upon a time, discussions surrounding Alex Twal mostly focused on his shortcomings.
As a forward for the Wests Tigers, Twal has consistently proven to be dependable and robust.
Since he first stepped onto the field in the NRL in 2017, he's executed his tackles and advanced the ball with admirable ease.
Twal's approach has always been straightforward; his narrative became more amusing due to a prolonged try-scoring drought that prompted much lighthearted banter.
The situation became a popular meme on social media, inspiring betting companies and television personalities to repeatedly joke about it.
This lighthearted ridicule turned him into a cult figure, and even when he finally broke his scoring drought in his 116th match in 2023, Twal handled it with grace and humor, a testament to his character.
Flash forward almost three years, and Twal is now regarded as a seasoned veteran.
He stands as the longest-serving player for the Tigers and has made it into the top ten for all-time appearances, defying the odds as he enters a new chapter in his career after ten seasons and 170 games.
At 29 years old, when most players have settled into their roles, Twal has remarkably reinvented himself and is now delivering the finest performances of his career.
This season, over the first six weeks, Twal has played like an unstoppable machine, achieving career highs in runs, running meters, tackle busts, offloads, and tackles-his form rivaling that of any lock in the league.
He continues to grind out the same hard work, yet the extent of his enhancement is astounding, elevating his average run meters from 81 two years ago to 120 this year.