Dylan Phythian's whirlwind journey to Burleigh started over coffee with former Newcastle Knights teammate Nathan Ross midway through last year.
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On the weekend he landed a Queensland Cup premiership after the Bears downed Wynnum Manly in the 2019 decider in Brisbane.
Now, almost three full seasons after his third and final NRL appearance, Phythian is heading to one of the game's biggest stages as part of grand final day at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
Burleigh will be vying for a national title against NSW Cup winners the Newtown Jets in the State Championships showdown on Sunday (1:35pm) and Phythian "can't wait" to be part of the action.
"There'll be a lot of eyes on the game, especially playing before the NRL grand final," Phythian told the Newcastle Herald.
"State champions has a good ring to it, but if we can get the win then national champions sounds even better and would be something special. I'm looking to go down there and put in a good performance."
Phythian, 24, admits the dream of an NRL return remains "in the back of my mind".
"Definitely, that's the ultimate goal," he said.
"It's not something I really look at each game. I just play the way I play and if someone's there watching then so be it."
Having made his NRL debut for the Knights towards the end of 2016, Phythian was promoted to start at fullback the following year but suffered a season-ending knee injury in round one and underwent multiple surgeries to repair the extensive damage.
His contract was terminated in March of 2018 after returning two positive tests for social drugs.
His stint at the Seagulls was short lived, only one match, signing with Burleigh the next week just prior to the June 30 transfer deadline.
Phythian, 16 months on and having played various positions for the Bears, now finds himself wearing the No.6 jersey.
"I love it," he said.
"It's where I'm comfortable and where I played all my juniors.
"Although I've been fullback, halves, centres, back-row, lock and even a stint on the wing this year, five-eighth is definitely my position and where I feel I'm at my best."
Phythian is poised to run out for the Butcher Boys in 2020, moving back home with partner Kirby as well as her sons Chase and Tate.
He has family connections at Central Leagues Club. "It's been hard living away from family and friends," he said.
Phythian was one of several Newcastle-linked players in the Queensland Cup throughout 2019 along with Cooper Johns (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Tyrone Amey (Eastern Suburbs Tigers), Bryce Donovan (Redcliffe Dolphins), Henry Penn (Norths Devils) and Matt Soper-Lawler (Souths Logan Magpies).
