Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club half-back Dougal Eliott admits he probably should have hung the boots up by now.
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But he just loves it too much.
The 32-year old is into his second season with the Magpies, and with his body feeling good, at times it has "not played ball", is enjoying being back amongst the intensity and challenge of first grade.
"I've really enjoyed it, it's been a nice change," he said.
"I think they were probably a bit short on half-backs this time round so it probably opened up an opportunity for me."
New to the club, and with a sufficiency of half-backs, and "some very good" ones at that, he spent most of last season running around in third grade.
Not that he minded. It was a lot of fun.
"I was just happy to meet the fellas and I found it a bit tough to commit with work," Eliott said.
Working in a sales support role for an orthopedic company, his job often sees him on the road. He said the Magpies have been great in accommodating for that, and fortunately this season he has been able to commit to playing more consistently.
"I just love it," he said, adding that he "probably should have given up previously".
"I enjoy the camaraderie and there's a really good bunch of fellas at Tamworth."
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The Walcha native has played at a few clubs over the years as work and other commitments have taken him to different places.
As well as pulling on the red and white of the Rams, he has also played for Armidale and worn the jersey of the Magpies' opposition on Saturday - Barbarians.
"The good aspect of that is I love playing against my mates as well," Eliott said.
"It always is a very enjoyable thing to run on shake hands with your mates and your competitors."
The Magpies are enjoying their best start to a season for a long while and will be looking to make it six-in-a-row when they host Baa Baas.
They haven't however made it easy for themselves. Their last three games they've scored late to snatch the points.
The middle of those was against Baa Baas, Joe Evans latching onto an intercept and racing away 20 metres to score in the final seconds to get them home by five.
"It's good getting a few close wins, it lifts the spirits, you know you can win the tight ones," Eliott said.
"[But] I still think we've got a long way that we can improve."
One area they will be looking to on Saturday will be their discipline, back-to-back penalties against Robb really hurting them.
They will also be conscious of starting better than they did last time they played Baa Baas after finding themselves down 13-nil after 20 minutes.
In the other game Robb and Albies will do battle in their annual Parent's Weekend clash.
