Stories of Killen’s red-hot bowling and fiery demeanour are still bandied around the grounds of Dubbo now, the most of famous of which was when he had his wicket-keeper and slips outside the inner circle during a particularly fast spell.

Many still consider him the fastest to have bowled in the region, roughly three decades after he was a dominant force for Macquarie.

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His reputation wasn’t known only in Dubbo and as a 17-year-old he had many comparing him to legendary Australian speedster Jeff Thompson.

Quickly identified as a fast bowler of supreme talent, the fiery Killen made the move from Dubbo and went on to play in the Sheffield Shield for both New South Wales and Western Australia while he also spent a number of seasons playing in England.

Now aged 51, Killen is based on the Central Coast but is back in Dubbo and will line up for Macquarie in Saturday’s RSL-Whitney Cup clash with the undefeated RSL-Colts.

“They still come out alright when I get it right and I could probably still play first grade at the Central Coast, which is a decent standard, like I did last season,” the man known as ‘Killer’ said.

“The fire is still in the belly unfortunately but it’s probably not as bad as it was in some of those old stories.

“But I just want to help in any way I can and give something back.”

Helping out at Macquarie and lining up for the Blues again has always been a plan for Killen but living away from Dubbo and with a family and life of his own now it hasn’t been easy.

But Killen has the time now and after being in contact with current Macquarie great Jason Green, he said he expects to get back on a number of occasions to play for the Blues this season.

He will make his return in the McDonald’s Megahit on Friday night before putting the whites back on for Saturday’s game at No. 2 Oval.

And while the drive and desire to win is still there, the return to Dubbo is about much more than matters on the field.

Killen is keen to get to many Macquarie training sessions as he can to help out the next generation, much like Blues greats did when he was coming through.

“It was a long time ago but there was blokes (at Macquarie) who supported me and nurtured me up through the grades,” he said.

“The Morrisons, Davis Tink, Jimmy Watts, the Dyball brothers, and Johnny Wallace. There was a lot and I got a lot of support and in fact I’ve still got the bag they presented with me when I first left for Sydney. I still use it and it’s got the Macquarie logo and we’re 30-odd years later now.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for Macquarie.”

The Blues will be keen to use Killen’s all-round talents when they take on the undefeated Colts.

The side’s only win so far this season came last weekend but they head into Saturday’s one-game without injured captain Ed Haylock.

The match at No. 2 Oval starts at 1pm.