Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini is as fast as he is fearless and one key reason is his application of a creed that Bruce Lee would have endorsed.

"I'm not the biggest fella. Dad taught me that speed is power, so the harder I run into tackles the less likely I am to get hurt, and the more likely I am to break tackles," Kini said.

"I just back myself and try to be fearless."

Kini, who stands 177cm and weighs just 83kg, was responding to a question about whether he realised there was no brick wall in front of him when he runs the ball.

Few footballers in the modern game charge ahead with the New Zealand custodian's speed straight into a defensive line.

The concept that "speed is power" was one martial arts legend Lee often expounded upon.

"A powerful athlete is not a strong athlete, but one who can exert his strength quickly," Lee said.

"Since power equals force times speed, if the athlete learns to make faster movements he increases his power."

Kini was a powerhouse in 2024 in his first full season in the NRL, with the Titans player of the year averaging 210m while making 10 line breaks and 66 tackle busts in just 16 games.

The 20-year-old was once told he was too small to make it in the NRL. A perceived lack of size was no impediment to him making the No.1 jersey his own.

"I back myself every day. I'm working hard here with the performance staff to make sure my body's right," he said.

"I've put on a kilogram or two in the off-season and I feel stronger and faster this year, so hopefully I can prove it throughout the season.

"I think the new age of fullbacks are getting smaller and faster. You see it with (Melbourne's) Sua (Faalogo) and (Brisbane's) Reece (Walsh).

"I mean, I don't really feel small out there at all."

Former Brisbane fullback and 2006 premiership winner Karmichael Hunt, known as Special K, was highly regarded for his kamikaze style. Kini has seen the highlight reels.

"I've seen him run straight at the line. I'd like to be a little bit smarter than that, but sometimes I do that," he grinned.

"My family don't like it, but that's what you got to do sometimes."

Kini's rise last year confirmed to coach Des Hasler that he could afford to move former fullbacks AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell into the halves long-term.

The Auckland-born flyer is not taking his grip on the fullback position for granted ahead of Sunday's away clash with Canterbury at Belmore Sportsground. He rubbished suggestions he could fall victim to the dreaded "second year syndrome".

"I don't think about that. I mean, it's good to keep me on my toes because we've got some great fullbacks here," Kini said.

"You've got Jaylan De Groot, he's going really well. He keeps pushing me every day, so, no, I don't think about that.

"It's definitely not 'my' position.

"It is to start with. It's a great confidence builder but I have got to prove that, every week from now on.

"It's good to have some good fullbacks clipping on my heels."

Kini is a tribute to the little men in the game who pack a punch against the giants.

"A smaller man who can swing faster may hit as hard or as far as the heavier man who swings slowly," Lee said.

That is why there are more hits and memories to come from Kini.