It was a partnership that worked so well that Mark Sheppard has been appointed Sharpe's assistant for the 2022 season.

Sheppard's acceptance of Sharpe's offer to manage the side in 2021 gave him the chance to reacquaint himself with the game after a break of almost two decades.

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It was also a chance to add a new chapter to his long association with Sharpe, with the duo former teammates at West Lions.

They have also played oztag together and co-coached oztag sides.

"So Sharpey reached out last year and just asked if I'd give him a hand," Sheppard said. "Just to help him oversee [the team] and make a few decisions - give him a different perspective sort of thing."

He added: "But Geoff's the main man there. I just give him a few tips and keep him calm on the bench at times; just offer something from a different perspective, I suppose, about the players, or who we're playing and all that kinda stuff."

Sheppard was at Wests when he retired as a player in 2002. He devoted the following years, in large part, to raising his family and to work.

The father of two said his son's decision to join Kooty last season "sealed the deal" in terms of him also linking with the club. Jake Sheppard, a Farrer alumnus, played for Kooty's under-18 side in 2021.

Sheppard said his wife, Leanne, supported his decision to return to rugby league because it provided him with another fulfilling "outlet"; "something a little bit different, where you can put your leadership skills into another group".

A Telstra veteran of almost three decades, Sheppard oversees the telecom giant's field operations (fixed network) for the region.

He found his Roosters experience to be "pretty refreshing". The side finished second after losing only two games in the COVID-shortened season.

"I played a long time at West Lions," he said. "I always enjoyed the culture of clubs."

Kootingal-Moonbi, he continued, had "a really good culture".

"You just see the passion in the community out there as well."

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