PORT Pirates captain Chris Young always told clubmates that if there was an injury crisis he would dust off the boots and have a run.
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He just never thought it would happen.
Two weeks ago, Young came out of retirement in the Pirates 35-34 defeat at the hands of Hastings Valley Vikings.
He will again be ready to join the fray this weekend if needed, but he will start from the bench at Stuart Park on Saturday.
With regular halfback Rhys Martin returning from injury along with Korie Paio, the odds of Young making another appearance appear slim.
“They are two guys who we usually start so to get them both back it a bonus for us,” he said.
The coach may not be required but there was always a chance.
“It was a bit of a perfect storm with unavailability a few weeks back and I said I would always help out if needed and as it turns out I was needed,” he said.
“It’s not a permanent thing that’s for sure, although you never say never.”
Young admitted he didn’t miss the soreness which enveloped his body for the best part of the following week.
“I had a lot of fun while I was out there, but you remember from about 20 minutes after full-time and on the Sunday exactly why you retired,” he said.
Pirates registered their first win of the season with a 31-17 victory over Southern Cross University Marlins last Saturday.
They will aim for two-straight victories when they host Wauchope Thunder.
Outside centre Tully Mailo and flanker Rhys McKechnie impressed the coach with their performances last weekend.
“We gave a couple of our juniors a go last week and they impressed me so they will retain their positions,” he said.
Young was wary of the Thunder who have recruited well, but are still searching for their first win of the season.
“A few comments from the boys have said that they’ve been in a lot of their games up to and just after half-time which is a bit different to previous seasons,” he said.
First grade kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.