For close to a decade in Sydney, a year in the life of Andy Saunders had a similar timeline.
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It involved a rugby league pre-season, followed by a season of footy and then a small amount of time off before it all started again.
That cycle was broken in 2020 when COVID forced the abandonment of the NSW Cup season. Afraid the same fate would befall the 2021 season, Saunders decided not to play that year and instead focused on work and spending time with family.
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After 10 years of putting in effort after effort, and hoping to add to his one game in the NRL, the former Panther and Bulldog had a lot more time to himself.
And the Quirindi native loved it.
"I'm enjoying the weekends and I'm not waking up sore on Sunday mornings after getting bashed up. It's good," said the Farrer alumnus, who played more than 100 NSW Cup games.
It is something he's loving even more since moving to Tamworth about a month ago.
The move came after Saunders' partner, Tamworth-raised Tayla Phillis, started her career with the NSW Police Force, in Gunnedah, while Saunders is working for The Land as a livestock sales representative.
Being close to friends and family was something the couple missed.
"Especially in the season when I was playing, it was very difficult.
"With the pre-season and the season, you only get a month or so in the year off," Saunders said.
"[I] missed out on a lot of things: birthday parties and weddings and christenings ... It's good to be back doing those sort of things."
He added: "It's really nice to just spend time with my friends and family."
As for rugby league, Saunders is unsure whether a return is on the cards - although he still loves the game.
However, his body doesn't share his enthusiasm.
"Ideally I'd love to [keep playing] but I don't think my body can take it.
"I know what it takes to get back playing again and my knees after five knee operations ... just aren't what they used to be.
"At 27, unfortunately I feel like I'm 57.
"And I still want to be able to get around when I'm older to do things. I'd love to go back and play - just have to wait and see."
Whether it's a full season or just a couple games, there is one thing Saunders desperately wants to do.
"I really want to have a game of rugby with my brother [Will].
"We played our first game of rugby in the under-17s for Quirindi Lions together ... and we said we want to play our last game together for Quirindi rugby."