Luke Dorn isn’t really sure where his footy boots are and he can’t quite remember the last time he had a Steeden in his hands.
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But the 34-year-old Pickers recruit certainly knows the feeling of being home in Maitland after more than a decade plying his trade in the English Super League.
“It’s good to be back,” Dorn said on the banks of the Hunter River on Thursday.
Dorn landed in Australia on the weekend, just seven weeks after his farewell from the Castleford Tigers and about five months out from the 2017 Newcastle Rugby League season.
It has been an emotional rollercoaster for the former Australian Schoolboys representative, his wife Lauren and two daughters – four-year-old Roxy and 20-month-old Marlowe – in saying goodbye to the United Kingdom they have known for 12 seasons and hello to a new beginning in the familiar surrounds of the Hunter Valley.
“The departure was hectic and packing up 12 years of your life wasn’t easy, either were the goodbyes,” Dorn said. “But on the flip side the emotion of coming home has been so exciting. It’s only been a few days but being around family again is great.”
Looking back, before kicking off the next chapter of his rugby league career in black and white, Dorn said the highlight from overseas was undoubtedly the 2014 Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
“That was an experience I’ll never forget,” Dorn said. “Driving through the main street of Castleford, which reminds me a lot of Maitland actually, people lined the street for miles. And then the chance to play at a place like Wembley, even though we lost, was amazing.”
And now, after a record breaking English Super League stint across three clubs from 2005, which saw him become the highest overseas scorer of all time with 698 points from 268 appearances, and earlier NRL games with the Northern Eagles, Manly and the Roosters, the former All Saints College student is preparing to make his first grade debut at Maitland next year.
“Ever since I left [home], and even when I was younger, I always wanted to play for Maitland at some point,” he said. “It’s where I grew up, it’s where all my friends and family are and there’s such a proud tradition of rugby league here.”
The Pickers are coming off back-to-back wooden spoons and Dorn, a fullback or playmaker, was a key signing for Maitland coach Trevor Ott in rebuilding to repeat the club’s most recent premierships in 2010 and 2011.
“It’s where my passion lies now in a way, helping those younger guys and playing a bit of a mentoring role,” he said. “It’s my responsibility both on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, Cessnock Goannas junior Eli Levido remains within sight of an NRL debut at the South Sydney Rabbitohs with the 21-year-old halfback opting to continue on at NSW Cup feeder club the North Sydney Bears.
