The 28-year-old was looking to resume his NRL career with the Dragons after 77 games - and 35 tries - in three years with Catalans in the Super League.

He looked to be making a fine fist of it, with an impressive pre-season enough to lock down his preferred left-centre berth for round one, before a calf injury suffered against the Bulldogs in round four slammed on the brakes.

It was a tricky recovery, further complicated by the form of centre pairing Zac Lomax and Euan Aitken, who were among the club's best in an otherwise forgettable season.

"The injury was just one of those little things I couldn't control and plays with you mentally but, given the type of year everyone had, it was put on the back-burner," Wiliame said.

"I had my daughter at around the same time, so there was plenty of upside to the year for me personally. The injury was just one of those setbacks that everyone goes through in the game and something we all deal with.

"Euay [Aitken] was playing really good footy by the time I was ready to play again. Three or four weeks later I got my chance, had a shocker, these things happen. That's rugby league.

"As I get a bit older in my football career, you don't want those little things hampering your game time but, it is what it is. I've come back stronger for it and I'm looking forward to the '21 season and hopefully grabbing that centre spot."

While 2020 proved a false start, the Fiji International feels he's in almost the exact same position as a year ago. While Lomax is a 'lock' for right centre, the departure of Aitken and Tim Lafai leaves a spot on the left open, with Wiliame in the hunt with the likes of Max Faegai and possibly Jack Bird.

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"I wasn't guaranteed anything last year and I came in an had a big pre-season," Wiliame said.

"There's no real difference [to last year] pressure-wise, I seem to thrive under that sort of pressure. It just feels exactly the same with a new coaching staff and a new set of blokes to impress. Hopefully I can do it.

"I feel really fit, it's the fittest I've probably come back at. Last year I was behind when I came back from France. I had two weeks moving from country to country from the other side of the world.

"This year I was able to knuckle down a bit more in the off-season and come back in better shape. Nothing's guaranteed, but I'm in a good position to put my hand up and take it if it comes."

It's a confidence born of his UK experience having been in and out of first grade in his initial three NRL seasons with Parramatta and Manly between 2013-16.

"I think [the change] is my head space with how I dealt with playing games," Wiliame said.

"Before I moved over to the Super League there was a big aura around the NRL, which there still is. But for me mentally, I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel nervous, even coming up against some of the great players there are, because it's just a game of footy and I enjoy playing it. I've kind of dumbed it down like that for myself."

Wiliame feels his growing maturity is something new coach Anthony Griffin has recognised since arriving in Wollongong.

"When I first rocked up to training, he's got a bit of an aura around him, but he likes to have a laugh with you. So do both assistant coaches [Matt Elliott and Peter Gentle]," Wiliame said.

"We had a good chat about what they want from me this year and I'm really looking forward to working with them because they've given me the feeling they believe in me and they think there's more to come for my career. I genuinely agree with them, so it was good to get that vibe from the get-go."