NRL fans will barely recognise new Storm recruit Sam Kasiano, with the man nicknamed 'Dogzilla' having undergone a remarkable transformation since arriving in Melbourne.
The former Canterbury Bulldogs giant tipped the scales at a whopping 136kgs when he arrived at the Storm for the start of preseason training in November, but is now set to start the new season in the best shape of his career.
Photos shared by the Storm reveal the 27-year-old 10-test Kiwis international is looking trimmer than ever after reaping the benefits of master coach Craig Bellamy's grueling summer training regime and a much improved diet.
Kasiano told Fox Sports he was "pretty much eating whatever I wanted" during seven seasons at the Bulldogs, with the McDonalds drive-through a regular part of his journey home from training.
Those days appear long behind him now and he now looks capable of playing much longer minutes this season after forging a reputation as an impact player at Belmore.
"Before I go to training I'll have poached eggs on toast with avocado," Kasiano told Fox Sports.
"Then lunch time the club provides lunch, so I'll eat whatever they make.
"For dinner the (wife) has been cooking me all the chicken, steak, veges, stuff like that.
"More veges than meat ... I'm loving it now but."
Eager to rediscover his best form and revitalise his career, Kasiano sought out the help and assistance of the Storm training staff to devise a plan that would help him shed the pounds.
"All the trainers here are unbelievable. They've been helping me with what to eat, when to eat, all that stuff," he said.
"I've been asking them, I've been going to them and asking what I should eat, and they've been really good."
The new-look Kasiano is expected to get his first run in Storm colours when the reigning premiers take on Leeds Rhinos in the World Club Challenge at AAMI Park on February 16.
What's expected to be a second-string Storm outfit will take on the Warriors a day later in their pre-season trial in Rotorua on February 17.