TERRY CAMPESE'S comeback has attracted much fanfare, but on Saturday another Queanbeyan favourite son returned in low key fashion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cut by the Canberra Raiders after 100 NRL games at the end of last year, back rower Trevor Thurling played his first game in 10 months in Queanbeyan Blues' 22-18 win over Belconnen Scholars.
Thurling and fellow former Raider Marc Herbert made their debuts for the Blues, while former Raiders skipper Simon Woolford coached his first game for the club.
Together, the trio bring almost 400 games of experience to the Blues, who many rate as the team to beat in this year's Canberra Raiders Cup. But Queanbeyan had to display real grit to hold off a valiant Scholars, who fielded four 17-year-olds in their line-up.
Thurling's hopes of earning a contract extension with the Raiders were ruined when a knee injury sidelined him for the back half of 2012.
He admitted it still hurts and he'd love to be running out beside Campese for the Green Machine.
''The injury did come at the wrong time, but that's footy,'' Thurling said.
''It's very disappointing, I wish I was still out there playing [NRL], but I've enjoyed my time at the Blues.
''That victory today is one of the grittiest ones I've been involved in at any level.''
Thurling played 45 scratchy minutes off the bench with his knee heavily strapped, and his reputation meant he was heavily targeted by the Blues defence.
''They were yelling out 'Thurling's knee, Thurling's knee' - they were definitely targeting it but I pulled up well,'' he said.
''That's just the challenge I will face all year, I guess.
''I probably could have stuck it out a bit longer, but had I played 80 minutes my knee would have stiffened up.''
Queanbeyan trailed 6-4 late in the first half, but back-to-back penalties against Belconnen allowed Blues winger Craig Wilkinson to score and give them a 10-6 lead at the break.
Their lead was extended to 16-6 when halfback Ben Nicoll, who outshone five-eighth Herbert, scooped up a loose ball to score under the posts.
Belconnen hit back with tries to Aidan Greenwood and Uelese Uelese to reclaim the lead 18-16, but a late try to Blues centre Tyler Stephens proved decisive.
Defending premier Belconnen is now winless after two matches, admittedly both close losses against fancied Queanbeyan outfits the Blues and Kangaroos.
Belconnen five-eighth Bobby Roberts had a strong game, indicating he can help fill the void left by departed Les McIntyre medallist Brent Crisp.
''We have to lick our wounds,'' Belconnen coach John Hawke said.
''That hurts a bit, we had four kids out there playing today for no reward.''