Browne, who was in Wagga yesterday as part of the NRL’s Community Carnival program, last year suffered a devastating knee injury which left him sidelined for the entire season.

“The time spent in rehab was really hard,” he said. “No one sees how hard you are working and no one knows anything about you.

“You are hidden behind a curtain, away from all the action.

“It was disappointing but I am ready for this year.”

While the scars of his major surgery are still evident on his leg, Browne has adopted a positive outlook towards 2012 and he is preparing to leave the turmoil and heartache of 2011 behind.

“I have only been at the Bulldogs for two years and one of them I was out injured,” he said.

“This season my knee is 100 per cent and I’m just really looking forward to hopefully playing first grade footy.”

Adding to Browne’s excitement towards the up-and-coming season, the impressively built second-rower has this year been reunited with his former club coach Des Hasler.

Browne, who linked with Canterbury in 2010 after being lured from Manly, revealed the Bulldogs were thriving under Hasler.

“Training has been going really well and everyone is fit and ready to go,” he said.

“We have a whole new structure that is working really well and Des has the team tight and working very well as a unit.

“Fingers crossed that we are in the top eight this year.”