The bumps and bruises take a little bit longer to heal but Clint Coles is enjoying his return to the rugby field.
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It's been around five seasons since he pulled on the boots for the Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club.
Coles said he was "bored and looking for something else to do" but there was a bit persuasion involved as well.
Pretty well since his last game his club-mates had been trying to coax him back into playing.
"The thing about leaving any sort of rugby club, anytime you see anyone from that club for the next 30 years, they always try and badger you," he joked.
So far he isn't regretting his decision.
"It's pretty good. It takes a while to adjust back to the contact," he said.
"You certainly feel the bumps and bruises those first few games."
Coles will on Saturday start on the wing as the Magpies look to continue their winning start to the season.
They are three from three heading into the clash with Barbarians and playing with a newfound confidence.
It is for Coles is quite a contrast to when he last suited up for Magpies, and he spoke about the rejuvenated feeling around the club.
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"Last time I played for the Magpies you'd go a long spell between wins so it enthuses you to have three wins on the trot," he said.
The Magpies got the points against the Baa Baas when they met in the opening round, but Coles is expecting them to be a tougher proposition this time round.
"I'm expecting that they will probably be a stronger side than when we played them in the first round," he said.
"Not to say they were a weak side but that first game, teams often struggle for numbers."
They are also at home at Alcatraz.
It is somewhat of a familiar stomping ground for Coles.
The Tamworth native played for St Alberts while he was studying at university.
"It's certainly fun playing on some of the old home grounds," he said.
There during Albies golden era, he said it is very different playing for a college side.
"Playing for Albies or any college team - you absolutely live it when your'e there. You're playing footy on the weekend with the same guys you're living with," he said.
The other round four clash was played on the Thursday before Easter and saw Robb victorious over Albies 36-19.
