For Chris Hunt, it was a chance to mingle, on and off the field, with NRL stars past and present.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It was also a chance to add a wonderful chapter to his great country rugby league story.
Read more:
At age 38, and with a first-grade career spanning 21 years, Hunt look part in the inaugural National Indigenous Rugby League Championships, or the excellently named Tribal League.
The tournament, the first of its kind, featured a host of current and former NRL stars including Andrew Fifita, Jesse Ramien, Brian Kelly and Tyrone Peachey.
Hunt's team, Walgett Aboriginal Connection, finished the six-team competition in third place.
His team included former Dally M medallist Ben Barba.
"It was unreal," Hunt said of the outing over three weekends. He was used off the bench in a utility role.
The amiable father of three said the chance to play with elite rugby league talent "was always a good experience".
"That footy was pretty solid footy," he said, adding that most players on each team were either current or past NRL players.
Hunt began his first-grade career at Narromine in Group 11 and was part of the Bears' 2018 and 2019 premiership-winning sides - named man of the match in the 2018 grand final playing fullback.
The personal trainer will be 40 in June, but is not considering retirement.
"When will you retire?" the Leader asked him.
"When the missus tells me I can."
Indeed.
