FORMER Australian and NSW Origin back-rower Andrew Ryan will make his Newcastle Rugby League debut on Saturday when the stakes could not be greater for Souths.
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The Merewether boys must defeat Lakes United at Townson Oval to remain any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals and the club is celebrating Sleapy's Day, its annual fund-raiser for cancer research.
If Souths are victorious they will then rely on Western Suburbs defeating Central at St John Oval on Sunday to snatch fifth spot.
Ryan, 36, will start from the bench for the Lions in just his third rugby league match since his retirement in 2011 after 291 NRL games with Parramatta and Canterbury.
The other two were a match for Dubbo CYMS against Parkes in 2012 and an NRL Legends game for Alex McKinnon at Aberdeen last November.
The man they call "Bobcat" moved to Newcastle last year to become the region's NRL welfare and education officer, and ambassador.
After providing some specialist coaching at Souths, the club registered Ryan before the June 30 deadline with the idea of playing in their Sleapy's Day.
However, it was not until he successfully completed training this week and second-rower Jake Lawrence failed a fitness on his knee, that Ryan was drafted onto the bench.
"Hopefully me playing doesn't change things too much," Ryan said.
"My priority was to raise some money for charity and have a game of footy."
On the football field Ryan was a renowned workhorse and post-football he has maintained a high level of fitness.
But Ryan is unsure how his body will handle a Lakes pack featuring hard hitters Hayden Jeans and Dylan Hartin.
"The body isn't the greatest," he said. "I'm a bit sore and sorry, but it's only a one-off game.
"I can still run around all right. I just haven't done a heap of contact."
Ryan will be the second former NRL star to make an appearance in the local league this season, after Knights prop Craig Smith played for Lakes against Wests in July at 43.
Asked whether he took heart from Smith's performance, Ryan said: "Yes and no. I heard he went all right, but someone has told me he has had a bad back since.
"So I've been a bit worried about that as well.
"That's the uncertain thing, I haven't played lately and I haven't in this comp before."
Souths captain-coach Todd Hurrell had no hesitation in ushering in Ryan for the one-off game after watching his efforts at training.
"He trained with us all along, while he's been coaching," Hurrell said.
"He's been very hands on in everything he's done. If he's not leading at the front, he's not far behind.
"Everyone is excited to play with him when he was named in the team. There was a buzz around training."
The sixth annual Sleapy's Day, organised by club committee member and cancer survivor Peter Sleap, aims to raise $50,000.
The Lions will wear special jerseys on Saturday that feature Sleap's face and they will be auctioned, along with a collection of State of Origin jumpers, following the game.
