Seeing Tom Learoyd-Lahrs standing sideline at Farrer's NRL Schoolboy Cup clash last week was to witness the big man come full circle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Standing next to him was Farrer's veteran rugby league coach Marty Moore.
Almost two decades earlier, Learoyd-Lahrs played for Farrer's First XIII - and overseeing the side was Moore.
Read more:
Learoyd-Lahrs would go on to have a lengthy NRL career, while also playing for the Kangaroos and the Blues, before returning to Tamworth after his elite footy career ended in 2015.
Last year he was appointed Farrer's Aboriginal liaison officer, resulting in Moore utilising his extensive rugby league expertise.
But this year Learoyd-Lahr's coaching role in the side increased, although the former Raiders star stressed that Moore remained "the man".
"He's the coach; I'm just assisting him where I can," Learoyd-Lahrs said.
"He's had them for the last three years, and he's done a great job with them boys."
Learoyd-Lahrs - the Bears' premiership-winning under-18 coach and the Greater Northern Tigers under-18 coach this year - was mentored by Moore in years 11 and 12 at Farrer.
The side made the University Shield final when he was in year 11 and won the final the following year.
He's one of the best coaches I've ever had: just because he was very stern but very fair.
- Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
"It's great that I've come back and he asked me to come and give him a hand," Learoyd-Lahrs said.
He added: "He's one of the best coaches I've ever had: just because he was very stern but very fair ... These young fellas are really lucky to have a mentor like him."
It was so nearly a dream 2020 debut outcome for the duo: in last Wednesday's NRL Schoolboy Cup clash against St Edward's College, Gosford, a late 90-metre intercept try sunk Farrer 18-16.
