Kotoni Staggs has had to forego playing in knockouts in recent years as his rugby league career has gone from strength to strength.
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That made it all the more special on Saturday when he got to return to his home region and win the Dubbo Watratahs Rugby League Knockout with the John Ahsee Memorial side.
Now in the NRL, the Wellington Cowboys junior was a shining light during what was an up-and-down 2019 season for the Brisbane Broncos and after their season finished early in the finals campaign he was able to return home.
He was his typical powerhouse self at Apex Oval on Saturday, with one run of 60m in the final when he went bursting through tackles particularly popular with the fans of the Wellington-based team in the final.
"I haven't played in a Wello side for awhile so to come back and play for my mob is something special," he said after celebrating with the silverware.
"It means a lot, playing with family.
"I haven't got to play in a knockout in four years. I had a rest from it when I started playing up in Brisbane so it's good to be back and we've got another knockout next week.
"Hopefully we can go there and bring that one back as well."
The upcoming Koori Knockout on the October long weekend draws players and fans from all over the state and there Staggs will be in another Wellington-based team, Nanima Common Connection.
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The town will also be represented by the Wellington Wedgetails, with both sides out to add more memories to what has been an incredible 2019.
Staggs himself created many memories during his stellar junior career at the Cowboys, and since has gone on to cement a spot in the NRL.
The 2019 season might not be one Broncos fans look back on all too fondly but Staggs went from someone who was tipped to provide a spark from the bench to one of the most reliable starters in the side.
The hard-running Staggs quickly made the right-centre spot his own in Brisbane.
He finished the season with 11 tries, just two less than Corey Oates and his team high of 19, while he chipped in with a number of goals to end the year with a personal total of 74 points.
He was back in the centres on Saturday and confessed it took a little time to get back into the swing of things.
"I'm just playing a part for the team and doing my job but knockout is another type of football," he said.
"It's different to the NRL and it was pretty hot out there and I was feeling it."
Staggs and fellow NRL star Tyrone Peachey played key roles in the win, the latter showing real moments of class with his kicking and passing in the decider win over the gallant Billy Merritt Memorial side.
The two were also hugely popular with the fans.
Staggs in particular brought about a massive amount of cheering whenever he touched the ball and after every game he was kept busy posing for photos with fans of all ages.
That was something he received plenty of praise for, as he was still jumping into photos well after full-time in Saturday's final.