Terry Campese has been named on an extended bench to face the New Zealand Warriors in Round 6, with the unluckiest man in rugby league looking to resurrect a career littered with injuries.
Campese has not worn the lime green of the Canberra Raiders for 12 long months and has only played eight matches over the past three seasons.
If the former State of Origin playmaker does return Saturday night against the Warriors it will end yet another torturous spell on the sidelines for the Canberra skipper.
Everyone wants Campese to succeed.
To see such a naturally gifted talent sidelined for so long is disappointing and no one wants to get stuck back into the rigours of the National Rugby League more than Campese himself.
“I can’t go out there thinking about them [his operations],” Campese told The Daily Telegraph.
“That is when you put yourself in a dangerous position. I have to get out there and not think about the knee. Just get out there and play football.
“I have been ticking all the boxes and finally got the tick of approval from our medical staff. Everyone is happy.
“It’s been 12 months since the operation, so it’s time to play. I knew what to expect this time around, so it was easier. But it doesn’t get easier watching from the sidelines.”
But someone needs to play devil’s advocate for a moment.
It is the understatement of the century but this is easily the most important month of Campese’s footballing career.
If everything goes to plan, the Raiders get their star five-eighth back and set their sights on September.
On the other hand, if Campese breaks down again, then he must seriously consider retirement. It’s sad to say but it’s the brutal truth.
After two knee reconstructions and surgery on his groin, Campese is surely touch and go when it comes to how good he could possibly be upon his return.
“It feels forever [since I played],” he continued.
“It’s like I am making my debut. All the hard work is finally paying off. I can’t wait to get back out there.
“I had a few emotions running through my body when I got approval from the medical staff that I was right to play.
“It’s exciting again. It [rehab] is always worth it knowing you are going to put the jumper back on. I want that opportunity again to run out alongside the boys.”
In a perfect world Campese returns and finds the form that made him a State of Origin five-eighth and one of the classiest players in the NRL.
This a professional era full of professional athletes and we expect them to return from injury and simply slip back into the players they once were. But don’t question how nervous Campese will be as he throws on his Canberra jersey on Saturday night.
After three years of hell Campese returns.
The entire competition will be behind Campese and the Raiders on Saturday.
Unless you’re a Warriors fan off course.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Canberra forward Josh Papali'i will miss next week's clash with the Sydney Roosters after he was banned for a week for his part in…
Canberra raised a few eyebrows when they re-signed Ricky Stuart earlier this week to a long-term contract extension but perhaps they know what they're…
After inking a four-year contract extension, Ricky Stuart says he wants to change every Canberra player's life by sharing the feeling of winning a…
How many weeks are left until we stop caring about the NRL again? This is the golden period of the season, with every team…
Canberra have pulled off one of the great comebacks to steal a 26-24 victory over Manly at 4 Pines Park with Hudson Young touching…
Anzac Round is done and another NRL touchpoint is ticked off amid the onward march of the 2024 season. It helps to see things…
