Western Suburbs five-eighth Tom Rouse had been on the road for a while.
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The Knights junior representative left Newcastle and linked with Queesland Cup side the Mackay Cutters in 2014.
After that season Rouse joined the Army, travelling all over Australia and spending eight months in Afghanistan.
Now the 27-year-old is back at the family home in Blacksmiths with wife Emily and two blue heelers named Jack and River.
"I've been away for six years or so and it's good to be back," Rouse told the Newcastle Herald.
Having restarted a plumbing apprenticeship, Rouse reached out to friend and Wests premiership winner Sam Kennan about potentially having a run in 2020.
"I'm good mates with Sam and I more or less said if you need any players let us know," he said.
"A day or two later and I was jumping on board."
Rouse and younger brother Sam, who has been playing rugby union with Merewether in recent times, combined forces for the first time at Harker Oval and haven't looked back since.
"He [Sam] is four years younger than me so we never played juniors together because there was too much of a gap," Rouse said.
"I love it. He calms me down and vice versa. It's pretty awesome being able to play first grade with your brother. I didn't think it would ever happen. It's something special."
The pair have made themselves part of the Rosellas' backline throughout the campaign, Sam at fullback and Tom in the No.6 jersey after initially kicking off at hooker.
A first-round injury to Keenan (shoulder) saw Rouse shift gears slightly and move from dummy half to partner Frazer Price (knee) and Ryan Walker (cheek), before they both eventually ended up in the casualty ward as well.
However, he is now next to veteran pivot Jade Porter with Liam Wilkinson the rake.
"There's been a few injuries but it's also opened up a lot of opportunities," Rouse said.
Saturday pits Wests against Cessnock in an elimination semi-final at Maitland Sportsground. A spot in the October 18 decider is up for grabs.
Rosellas coach Todd Lowrie said centre Heath Gibbs and prop Liam Marshall, who both suffered broken hands from an 18-12 win over minor premiers Wyong last start, have been ruled out while Jarome Wilson is also unavailable.
Coming off the bye, replacements have yet to be named.
In the other semi the Roos meet fourth-placed Souths at Maitland on Sunday.
Play in each game gets underway at 3:30pm.
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