From a prodigious local talent to fearless enforcer, representative player and now leader of his boyhood club.
Daniel Saifiti has embarked on an incredible journey throughout his NRL career and will run out for his 100th game with the Newcastle Knights on Friday night.
‘D-Saf’ will notch his milestone game against the Bulldogs and has been named as co-captain for the opening round clash.
At only 24 years of age, the Newcastle-born prop has developed into one of the elite front-row forwards in the game having played at State of Origin and international levels.
Here is a look over Daniel’s road to 100.
2015
Before Daniel Saifiti's NRL debut the following year, he made his international debut for his native Fiji against Papua New Guinea alongside identical twin brother Jacob in Fiji’s 22-10 victory on May 2.
2016
In Round 1of the 2016 season, Saifiti made his NRL debut for the Knights in a 30-12 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
Although tasting defeat in his first NRL game, Daniel would cross for a debut try wearing jersey number 18.
Playing alongside brother Jacob, the pair became the first twins in Australian rugby league history to debut together.
Daniel would feature heavily in the 2016 season playing in another 19 games and made his second appearance for Fiji.
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2017
Saifiti impressed again through his second NRL season and became a mainstay in the Knights forward pack.
Amassing 23 games, he was rewarded with a contract extension until 2020.
Saifiti played his third game for Fiji in a classic game against Tonga, although the Fijians went down 26-24.
Daniel tallied 2,700 running metres in 2017, his most in a single season which also included 35 tackle breaks.
2018
Daniel continued to take his game to another level in 2018.
Off the back of fresh and exciting signings of Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson, the Knights rose up the ladder.
Daniel was a huge part of the team’s improvement in 2018, playing 21 games, scoring three tries and again passing the 2000 running metre mark.
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2019
2019 proved to be Daniel’s breakout season.
The 24-year-old impressed in the early stages of the year and was rewarded with selection in the NSW State of Origin team.
The prop made his debut in the number eight jersey in 2019’s Game 2 as NSW defeated Queensland 38-6 at Perth Stadium.
Daniel was again named in the representative side for Game 3 in which NSW won 26-20 to claim the series at ANZ Stadium.
Saifiti was instrumental in the Blues lifting the shield and lined up alongside teammate David Klemmer in Game 3.
The Knights narrowly missed out on the finals again in 2019. D-Saf was re-signed until the end of the 2022 season.
2020
Saifiti was a crucial part of Adam O’Brien’s plans in 2020 as the side finished in the top eight for the first time since 2013.
The front row enforcer was hurt by injury in the year, but played 14 games in the shortened 20 round season.
Saifiti was reselected for NSW in a unique State of Origin series at the back end of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
The 24-year-old played all three games as NSW lost 2-1 to Queensland.
2021
Daniel has been a rock in the middle of the forward pack ever since his debut and established himself as a leader and benchmark front row forward.
Saifiti was rewarded having been named apart of the Knights leadership group and was named co-captain for Round 1's fixture against the Bulldogs.
