Wests Tigers hooker Matt Ballin says he can't wait to take the field this weekend for his first NRL game since joining the Club at the start of the 2016 season.
Ballin will become Wests Tigers Player #197 on Saturday when he takes the field against the Knights, having last played an NRL game in Round 24, 2015 for the Sea Eagles.
And while moving to a new club off a severe knee injury at age 32 might not seem like the easiest thing to do, the hooker said it was a time that he, surprisingly, enjoyed the most.
"To be honest, it's been one of the most enjoyable times of my career," he said.
"It was tough to leave Manly and join a new club but as soon as I got here, the boys have been really welcoming and I felt at home straight away.
"The coaching staff have been great, and while my time on the field has been limited, I've done lots of review and learned a lot about the culture of this club.
"I wouldn't say it's been tough — it's been challenging, but it's been one of the most enjoyable challenges of my career, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year on the field."
Ballin played his first game in over 260 days when he came off the bench for the Club's Intrust Super Premiership side — even scoring a try in the 24-22 victory.
And despite playing over 200 first-grade games prior to this week's clash, the hooker says he's feeling as excited as ever as he prepares for his official Club debut.
"I'm just excited to play again," Ballin said.
"I was great to have a run last week with the boys — they were really good to be and it felt good to be back in that routine again — so I'm looking forward to doing it again."
Saturday arvo footy returns to Campbelltown this week when we take on the Knights!
