Ben Evenis ran with the bulls in Pamplona - twice! - and travelled extensively around Europe from his London base.
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But it is the memory of watching his beloved West Coast Eagles beat Collingwood in the 2018 grand final, at Ned Kelly's Australian Bar in Munich during Oktoberfest, that he extracted when asked to name his No 1 highlight of the trip.
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The likely once-in-a-lifetime experience ended when he saw the writing on the wall regarding COVID and returned to Australia before the worst of the pandemic enveloped the UK.
Now back in Tamworth and back in Kangaroos colours, the 29-year-old carpenter has relived his great adventure after being based in the London district of Putney for almost two years. He shared a home with five Aussies.
And he shared more of his holiday highlights with the Leader, including playing AFL for the Putney Magpies last year and running with the bulls.
"I thought I was going to die: it was pretty extreme," he said of his close encounters with bulls.
Evenis said two people did die after being struck by bulls during his first run in the world-famous, ancient spectacle on the Spanish city's cobbled streets.
Despite that, he participated in a second run two days later so he could again mainline an adrenaline rush he likened to sky diving.
"I probably shouldn't have done it twice, but the adrenaline rush: it's an amazing high."
The Roos, who thumped Moree last round to notch their first win of 2020, play the undefeated Bulldogs in Gunnedah on Saturday.
Roos coach Brett Douglas said Evenis was "a terrific team man" who "always competes 110 per cent".
