But with Dale Finucane (eye socket), Toby Rudolf (ankle), Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee), Royce Hunt (calf) and Nikora (suspended) all out against Canberra, Talakai made a point of telling Fitzgibbon he was happy to shift in.
"I wanted to get ahead of it, and make sure he knows I'm willing," Talakai said.
"We have a big thing about selfless acts, it's part of our culture and who we are.
"I knew there was going to be an opportunity and I wanted to give coach some confidence that I'm ready to put my hand up."