The Moruya Sharks are buzzing – one of their most lauded members is coming back to wear the sky blue guernsey this Sunday, and for the rest of the season.
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NRL premiership winner, former Australian and NSW front-rower, and former junior Shark, Michael Weyman is set to play his first game for the Moruya Sharks in the Group 16 first grade competition.
Weyman, of whom Wayne Bennett once said: ‘I’d have him in any team I coached’, said he can’t wait to run out for Moruya.
“I’ve never done it before; whether it’s one or 30 games, it’s something I have always wanted to do,” Weyman said.
“I left here at a young age and I’ve always had it in the back of my mind about going back.”
Since he retired from professional football and left Hull KR in the English Super League, Weyman has settled into life back on the South Coast.
“It’s real good; we love it,” he said.
“Having Mum and Dad around to drop the kids off has been good.”
The former Canberra Raiders and St George Illawarra Dragons prop has been resting his knee after an injury forced him to retire from his professional career in early March.
“It’s not too bad at the moment,” he said.
“I’ve had four months where I haven’t played and I’ve trained for the past month-and-a-half to two months.”
Weyman, who has been supporting his team from the sideline so far this season, said he had noted a rise in the quality of football in Group 16.
“It’s great that people love playing for their local town,” he said.
“It’s good; it’s strong.
“The best part about it is, you look at Moruya’s side and they are local juniors.
“Luke Jay, Jake Clarke, Dean Scott and Dillon Johnston; they’re locals and have grown up in the country.
“I think a lot of clubs share that (in Group 16).”
Weyman will play alongside captain/coach and younger brother Tim Weyman.
Coaching, he said, had never appealed to him, and he was “very happy” to follow his brother’s lead.
“Tim’s doing a good job with the boys and I’m more than happy to sit back,” he said.
Reflecting on his professional career, he said there had been a heightened focus on player recovery during his 12-year NRL career.
“It (recovery) just got bigger and bigger,” he said.
“I started in Canberra and I’ll never forget it; they gave me my first crack (at the game) and it was large part of my life.
“St George was a great time in my life and obviously I had a lot of success up there.
“We had a great time in Wollongong; we were a close-knit group and we’re still really good mates.”
The Sharks host Cooma Stallions in four grades at Ack Weyman Oval in Moruya on Sunday.
The under 18s kick-off at 10.30am and first grade at 2.30pm.