A round-one suspension for a shoulder charge is behind Martin Taupau’s coming of age as an NRL prop.

Taupau has developed into one of the best front-rowers in the competition this year, leading the NRL for offloads (44) and sitting fourth for average metres gained (171) to power the Sea Eagles into the four.

However, it’s the minimal three penalties he’s conceded that have marked his biggest change heading into Saturday’s clash with the Warriors in Perth.

Taupau was once known as one of the most aggressive players in the game.

Since 2015 he’d been suspended four times for nine weeks on the sidelines and given away an average of 11 penalties a year.

But he said he had made a conscious effort to leave that part of his game behind.

“I’ve cleaned up a little bit,” Taupau said.

“I used to be overly aggressive and get into all those niggly fights. But now I’m at the point of my career where I need to start playing consistent football.”

The key moment for Taupau came following Manly’s round-two loss to South Sydney.

After he was outed for a shoulder charge against Parramatta the following week, Taupau was forced to watch on as the Sea Eagles gave away a 12-0 lead to be flogged 38-18.

The defeat dropped them to 15th on the NRL ladder and Taupau realised it was time to make a statement.

The 27-year-old has juggled playing on the edge and in the middle since his 2010 debut at Canterbury before making a full-time move to prop this season.

The difference has been clear in attack – Sunday’s 213m running haul was third time he has topped the 200m mark this season, and he is on track to break through more tackles than in any other year.

He has also already provided more offloads than in any other season and his ability, along with Jake Trbojevic, to produce second-phase play is one of the reasons Manly have the best attacking record in the competition.

“I love playing prop,” he said.

“I get more ball in my hands. I get to lead up front and be more aggressive in attack and defence as well. I’m enjoying it.”