Driven by the disappointment of missing the finals for the first time in his senior career, the 23-year-old ditched the opportunity for an end-of-season break.

Instead, four days a week, every week since August, Penca and a handful of likeminded teammates have been found slugging it out at Campese Field.

Under the watchful eye of the club’s strength and conditioning coach Sean Debenham, Penca has embarked upon a single-minded mission – to bring the John I Dent Cup back to Queanbeyan.

‘‘A few of us weren’t happy with how we went last year and said enough was enough,’’ Penca said.

‘‘Obviously finishing where we did last year was a big influence on why the boys were keen to get stuck back into it straight away.

‘‘The boys realise we underperformed last year, now it’s about starting from a new direction.’’

With the Whites returning to the training paddock on Tuesday, Penca will soon find out whether the countless extra sessions have been worth the effort.

For the first time in recent years, the former Australian under 19s representative is also looking forward to an injury free lead-in to the new season.

Penca has in the past been troubled by chronic back problems while also undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.

‘‘I don’t think I’ve ever started a season fully fit,’’ Penca admits. ‘‘I wasn’t doing the stretching, I wasn’t eating right, the kind of things you need to be doing.

‘‘This year it’s been about putting those things in place and doing that hard work off the field.

‘‘Not having a footy in your hand for the past few months you sometimes feel like a marathon runner not a rugby player but it needs to be done.’’

The question yet to be answered is just how far a fully fit Penca can take his game this season.

Despite his injury and fitness concerns, the resilient flanker has still managed to secure the Whites player of the year award for the past two seasons.

It’s a record that suggests a revitalised Penca could be set to make a major impact in 2012.

‘‘I think I am set for a big year,’’ Penca said.

‘‘Not having had much of a break I thought by this stage I’d be completely over it but now the season is here I can’t wait to get back into it.’’