There was no birthday cake in sight today for Todd Payten, just a hard session in the gym.

The highly respected front-rower was put through a tough pads, bike and rowing session. He may be 31 but Payten is the Wests Tigers 'Duracell' bunny - he keeps going and going.

The 226 game veteran feels as fresh as a daisy as he prepares for his 15th season in the NRL. The reason behind this - fatherhood and the impact of new High Performance Manager Steve Folkes.

“Each session under Folkesy is like a cardio workout in itself whereas previously, we used to try and lift big weights, do recovery, and then try to lift big weights again,’’ Payten said.

“Pre-season training before Christmas was hard but it was enjoyable. Everyone has been having a dig and working hard as a group which we need to do at this time of the year. The young guys earn respect off the older guys and you learn plenty about one another.”

One player Payten didn’t need to learn too much about was new prop Jason Cayless. The pair spent a year together at the Sydney Roosters before Cayless applied his trade in the English Super League.

“Jason was the best prop in the world before he went to England. He will be a big attribute for us,’’ Payten said.

“I expect him to be quite solid up the middle. He is aggressive, hits the ball up strong, and has a little bit of an offload in the line and before the line. He is a real professional.”

Cayless’ arrival at Camp Concord sees him fighting Payten, Keith Galloway, Bryce Gibbs, Junior Moors and Alan Schirnack for the two starting front-row spots. Snapping at their heels are young guns Andrew Fifita and Aaron Woods, two of the success stories from the Wests Tigers U20s team in 2009.

Payten is adamant he still is a front-rower despite coach Tim Sheens moving him to the second-row and lock at different stages last season.

“I still played the same role, just wore a few different numbers,’’ he said.

“I had about 40 or 50 minutes last year where I played out wider which is something I wasn’t completely used to. It made me think about my football a little bit more.

“Keith has been going great for the past two years. He works hard, lifts big weights in the gym and is pretty good on his feet. There is no reason why he can’t play State of Origin this year.

“Andrew Fifita has plenty of ability. He has a bit of work to do in the gym but that’s part and parcel for a young prop. Aaron Woods is the same. He is a big kid who still has to grow into his body.

“We expect too much too soon from not only young players but players in a lot of positions. Being a forward, it is hard for an 18 or 19-year-old to compete week in, week out over 26 weeks against physically grown men.”

As for an individual goal, Payten wants to increase his work-rate after averaging 78 metres per game last season.

“I’ve always had that stigma of being a half-back in a front-rowers body. To get over that 100 metres per game average, that is the hallmark of a solid front-rower. If I can get that up and still have variety around the ruck, then that should be good for the side,’’ he added.

Payten nominated half-back Robert Lui as the player who had impressed him the most at pre-season training.

“Robert Lui is our best option at half-back. He is big, strong, quick, and reads the game well,’’ Payten said.

“It would have been daunting for him to come into the side late last season and order us around but he needs to do that. To do this over 26 rounds this year will be a big ask. Robert is the most threatening half-back in our club.”

Payten feels the team needs to improve its mental capacity if it is to ‘step up’ and make the finals for the first time since 2005.

“We need to be able to concentrate better for longer periods. We have got all the skill and ability,’’ Payten said.

“I don’t think we were fit enough mentally last year. We stood up in those tough games but we often let ourselves down with a drop ball or through a poor read in defence.

“The work we are doing in the gym, the intensity of training, and the consistency of our sessions shows we are ahead of where we were this time last year.”

As for that birthday cake, Payten might enjoy one with his long term partner Julie and their nine-month-old son, Noah.

“I’m really enjoying fatherhood. I would love more kids but I need to get married first,’’ Payten smiled.

“That will happen around October or November.”

Hopefully a finals appearance will beckon before then.