Dylan Hill has waited two years to make his return to the football field, and on Sunday he plans to "make it a good one".
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The former Macquarie Raiders captain-coach suffered back-to-back anterior cruciate ligament injuries before swapping to the Narromine Jets at the end of 2018, but has enjoyed a strong pre-season with trials against Trangie, Gilgandra and Westside.
The Jets also finished one win short of a grand final appearance at the Parkes 9s pre-season tournament - a result which surprised their new captain-coach.
But Hill himself benefitted from those performances which included and slew of tries, and he's excited for the season proper to finally get underway on Sunday.
"I've gained a lot of confidence from going in the trials," he said.
"It was what I needed going into the season and I couldn't feel more ready.
"I've waited two years to make my return and I'm hoping to make it a good one."
The hard-running prop departed Macquarie in dramatic circumstances last year, with word getting out the Raiders wanted to appoint former Jets captain-coach Wes Middleton before Hill was informed.
On Sunday the two clubs will face off at Cale Oval.
And while Hill acknowledges "there will be a bit of emotion" in facing his former club, he's more focused on Narromine.
"I'm happy where I am now," he said.
"My heart's with Narromine and I want to do my best for them for giving me this opportunity."
He's excited to see Fijians Walter Kala and centres Ratu Roko and Peter Wong in action, and hopeful the forward pack with "plenty of size" can dominate up front.
Hill knows first-hand the kind of reception the "vocal" Narromine supporters can give a visiting coach, and has no doubt Middleton will "cop a bit from the crowd" on Sunday.
But more importantly, he hoped for as many Jets supporters as possible to flood Cale Oval on Sunday - and loudly - "to give us that home ground advantage".
"It is our first home game so we'd love to make it a big one," he said.
"We're here to play and we really want to put our mark on the competition - and hopefully shock a few teams."
Sunday's season opener kicks off at Cale Oval at 2.30pm.
- NARROMINE: 1. Janus Walford, 2. Ratu Roko, 3. Peter Wong, 4. Linton Cross-Shaw, 5. Washington Itoya, 6. Tony Clevin, 7. Trent Jacobson, 8. Dylan Hill, 9. Jahrryd Usher, 10. Alex Sambrook, 11. Dj Kennedy, 12. Owen Kennedy, 13. Ryan Richardson, 14. Walter Kala, 15. Jordan Richardson, 16. Corey Redman, 17. Cooper Anning.
