HE was once the scrawny fullback with light feet and bleach-blond hair. Well, not anymore.

Last year, Panthers fullback Jarrod Sammut played NRL at just 72kg. But a rigorous off-season weight program has the former lightweight now 10kg heavier and sporting long black hair, a menacing handlebar moustache - and a brand new tattoo to boot.

With the words "Justify Your Existance" inked around his neck, Sammut will be out to do just that this season with his new-look frame and added muscle.

Sammut underwent an ankle reconstruction in November that prevented him from running for a large portion of the off-season. Rather than being a setback, the injury allowed Sammut to get stuck-in inside the Panthers' weights room at CUA Stadium.

"I've put on a good 8kg," Sammut revealed yesterday. "I played last year at 72kg to 74kg but I'm now at 82kg. It is the heaviest I have been."

Sammut has always had the speed and skill but not the body mass. This year, though, he could emerge as a genuine match-winner for the Panthers.

"The ankle injury gave me the chance to work out lifting some heavy weights," Sammut said. "I definitely feel stronger.

"I can feel the difference in my strength. I put on a few kilograms before last season but found it difficult to cope with. But I have confidence within myself for this season."

Sammut is expected to play in Saturday night's trial match against Parramatta at CUA Stadium. The Panthers missed last year's finals but are supremely confident they will be able to contest this season's play-offs.

"This year will be big year for me too," said 23-year-old Sammut. "I have been playing first grade here now for four years. Although I am young and the side is young, I feel I am now one of the senior players. I have to step up and take on a senior role. I want to be a leader."

Sammut will, however, have to fend off a challenge from rising star Lachlan Coote to be starting fullback this year.

Penrith's strength and conditioning coach Carl Jennings explained Sammut's extra body mass also came through sticking to a high-protein diet.

"As a smaller player, this will give him a lot more confidence," Jennings said. "He should be commended on the hard work he did. It's really showing now."

Penrith director and club legend Greg Alexander said Sammut's versatility would be a bonus in 2010.

Jarrod is now a ball of muscle," he said. "Not that he ever took a backward step - but he could really now start to dish it out. He will be more confident attacking the line. With his extra weight, he could play dummy half if necessary."

By Dean Ritchie, Daily Telegraph.