FORMER NRL player Dan Dumas has returned to the Port City Breakers for season 2014.
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After a stint with the Taree City Bulls Dumas, who played several games for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, is one of the original Breakers and will boost their forward pack for the upcoming season after penning a deal with the club.
“I’m a bit nervous but at the same time I’m really enjoying myself,” Dumas said of his return to the club.
“There’s a fair bit that needs to be done but we should be in for a good year.
“I’m really confident about this year and in the end it’s about having fun isn’t it?”
Captain-coach Josh Hyde was thrilled to have a player of Dumas’ quality back amongst the ranks.
“He was the marquee signing back then and he is again our marquee signing for 2014,” Hyde said.
“He brings the experience and the leadership to the side. He has captained-coached the team before and demands respect from all the players on the team.”
Hyde believes that his presence at training and on the playing field will only be beneficial for the rest of the squad.
“Everyone learns more from watching Dan,” he said. “They watch what he does and they take a lot from it. The little things like footwork, tackle technique and so on are really what shine.”
When the Breakers watched Dumas walk to rivals the Taree City Bulls they lost a lot of strike power in the forwards. That is something they have now regained thanks to the return of the powerful prop.
“When he went to Taree the club lost a little bit of his attitude and ability in the forward pack,” Hyde said.
“He was the missing link in our forwards last year and to see him alongside the best player in the group in Mitch Fowler once again is going to be great.”
For Dumas, he simply wants to lead from the front and if he can teach some of the younger squad members a thing or two, he is happy to oblige.
“I think having myself come back gives the guys a bit of direction given I’m an older and experienced player,” he said.
“My experience in the NRL was great. Everyone there was in the top elite class and being 31 years old now I wish I could turn back time and know what I know now.
“But for now, I’m looking forward to a big season with the Breakers.
Also returning to the Port City team is young gun Connor Cheeseman, who missed the final cut in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs SG Ball side for season 2014.
He is expected to line up in the back row while Dumas is tipped to start at prop alongside Fowler