But before Fishies fans start rejoicing, the veteran of 291 NRL games is adamant it will be a one-off when he runs onto No.1 Oval against Parkes on July 22.

Ryan retired from football at the end of last season and has since taken up a role with the National Rugby League working with players in the Toyota Cup competition.

He admits he hasn’t been doing a lot of fitness work and may be rusty.

“CYMS asked me about having a run with them and I told them that if they had some sort of charity game or something like that, then I might be keen,” he said.

“They said they were raising some money at a game at the end of July so I told them I’d help them out.

“Hopefully a lot of people get there and some good money can be raised for the charity.

“I’ve been busy with work and the family so a few touch footy games here and there is all I have really done since I finished playing. I’m hoping they have unlimited interchange.”

Ryan’s brother Tim, a former Fishies captain-coach, recently signed to play out the remainder of the season with the club and the match represents a chance for the brothers to take to the field together for the first time in a long time.

“I think it has only happened once and that was in a reserve grade game for Parramatta against Canberra at Canberra back in about 2000,” Ryan said.

“I was hoping Tim would decide he wanted to play again. I haven’t spoken to him but I know he has been playing some reserve grade with CYMS so if we managed to play on the same team that would be great.”

While the event will be a charity day, there will also be two competition points up for grabs when last season’s grand finalists meet for the second time this season.

“I’ve heard they have a pretty big forward pack and when there’s competition points up for grabs it’s going to be hard footy,” Ryan said.

“When I heard about how good the Parkes pack was I started to re-evaluate my decision but I’m sure it will be good to play for my old club in my old home town.

“But I wouldn’t want to come in and take anyone’s spot on a regular basis. Those boys have been training and playing all year and it wouldn’t be fair for me to come in half-way through the year and do anything more than play in a game to help raise some money.”

ben.walker@ruralpress.c om