Blore's emotional return

It may have only lasted 29 minutes, but Shawn Blore’s return to the playing field on Sunday was 533 days in the making.

The 22-year old struggled to contain his emotions at Belmore as he pulled on the orange, black and white for the first time since the final round of the 2021 season.

He entered Sunday’s match in the 26th minute and wasted no time in making an impact on the game, earning a penalty with his first carry of the football.

Speaking to Wests Tigers at full-time, Blore stated that he was thrilled to be reunited with his teammates on the field.

“It was pretty hard to keep the emotions in and I got teary-eyed in the sheds, but it was good to get the game out," he said.

Blore was all but certain to claim a starting spot in the second-row last year when he cruelly tore his ACL just one month from the start of the season.

He's determined to show that he's got plenty to offer in 2023,  as part of a vastly strengthened pack of forwards.

He did his chances no harm last Sunday and showed off his silky passing skills by executing a swift catch-and-pass that allowed Charlie Staines to score in the right corner.

Blore was particularly complimentary of his team’s defence against the Raiders as the home side conceded just four points against a near-full strength Canberra outfit.

“We defended very well in that first half and got the rewards out of it,” he said.

“The first period where we held them out for six sets in a row… that represents us as a team now.”

Blore stated that the experience of his new teammates was invaluable during the tough periods on the field, pointing specifically to the leadership provided by prop David Klemmer.

“It was a grind and we all knew that, but Klem’s been very vocal about staying calm no matter what happens," said Blore.

“We just broke them and eventually the natural footy came through.”