Jack Rumsby was speaking on the phone en route from Newcastle to Tamworth for the Wests Entertainment Group 9s on Saturday night - leaving behind, momentarily, a new life that has expanded his world significantly.
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Since moving to Newcastle a year ago, the 22-year-old said he had experienced an emotional "roller coaster" ride - and not just because of the usual suspect, COVID-19.
He moved to the city to be with his girlfriend of about 18 months, Jessica Jones, a Scone native whom he met while visiting Newcastle.
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The move and the deepening of the relationship is significant in itself.
And so was the former Roosters No 1's introduction to Newcastle first grade at the Butcher Boys, whom he was playing for last month when 19-year-old teammate Joel Dark - the cousin of Blues captain Boyd Cordner - suffered a serious head injury and died five days later at John Hunter Hospital.
Rumsby said what happened was "terrible", with the Butcher Boys cutting their season short because of the tragedy.
The smooth-running player opened the door to a fresh barrage of emotions when he recently started a new job as a youth worker.
"I take the guys dinner, I take them to school, to after-school activities - just anything that a normal parent would sort of do," he said.
He continued: "Going into it, I thought it would be very rewarding and challenging - and so far that's exactly what I've seen."
Overall, Rumsby said he was "really enjoying" Newcastle.
In the inaugural WEG 9s, he plays for Marius Street Family Dental.
"I thought it [the nines] would be a good opportunity to keep playing some footy and catch up with mates as well [and] see family while I'm back in town," he said.
Round two of the WEG 9s will be held at Scully Park on Saturday night. The first of four matches starts a 6pm.
