Wests Tigers forward Shaun Spence couldn't wipe the smile from his face on Friday night after his successful return from injury against the Panthers in Bathurst.
"There's obviously a few cobwebs there," said Spence, "but I was just happy to be out there, I came out with a smile on my face and I don't think it left for the whole time I was out there.
"A fair few people out there told me I wouldn't be back, but the main thing for me was to have fun today.
"I'm doing something I maybe wouldn't have been able to do and now I can do it, so I'm trying to make the most of it.
"I'm really happy, there's obviously a lot of improvement back in my individual game but we can work on that after.
"At the moment I just want to be happy about being back out there."
Spence realises there's a long road in front of him to get to where he ultimately wants to be.
"There's obviously always first grade ambitions," said Spence.
"I've been able to train with the first grade squad all preseason, I really want to get a start this year.
"I know that coming back from injury is going to be tough and there's a lot of competition for spots so I'm going to have to work hard to do that."
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"There's obviously a few cobwebs there," said Spence, "but I was just happy to be out there, I came out with a smile on my face and I don't think it left for the whole time I was out there.
"A fair few people out there told me I wouldn't be back, but the main thing for me was to have fun today.
"I'm doing something I maybe wouldn't have been able to do and now I can do it, so I'm trying to make the most of it.
"I'm really happy, there's obviously a lot of improvement back in my individual game but we can work on that after.
"At the moment I just want to be happy about being back out there."
Spence realises there's a long road in front of him to get to where he ultimately wants to be.
"There's obviously always first grade ambitions," said Spence.
"I've been able to train with the first grade squad all preseason, I really want to get a start this year.
"I know that coming back from injury is going to be tough and there's a lot of competition for spots so I'm going to have to work hard to do that."
Follow the author on Twitter: @ajcarr7
BECOME A MEMBER OF WESTS TIGERS
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY
BUY TICKETS FOR EELS TRIAL
BUY TICKETS FOR FOUNDATION CUP
