It has been a homecoming of sorts for Brisbane-born Edrick Lee, who has returned to Queensland to continue his NRL career with the Dolphins next season.
Lee said he was still trying to get used to training in the heat of the Sunshine State after spending the past decade in slightly cooler pre-season climes during stints at the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights.
The 30-year-old made his NRL debut for the Raiders in 2012 after performing well for the club's under 20s side.
However, the chance to return home to where it all started at this stage of his career was appealing for Lee, despite having to make small adjustments.
“It's enjoyable, but tough, having to adjust to the Queensland weather,” Lee told NRL.com.
“I am from here, but have never done a pre-season here, so that's the biggest adjustment.
“But it's been good getting to know all the new faces and players, so everyone's gelling nicely.
“I haven't been home since probably just over a decade, and I left straight after high school, so to come back home and play in front of friends and family on a day-to-day basis is something that attracted me as well.”
While the pull of home was strong, the biggest factor drawing Lee to the Dolphins – where his cousin Brenko Lee is also contracted – was the chance to reunite with head coach Wayne Bennett, who he got to work during Queensland’s successful State of Origin campaign in 2020.
A past Indigenous All Stars team representative, Lee has signed on with the NRL's newest team for two seasons, and has been embracing the chance to be part of forming the identity of the competition’s latest team.
New Dolphins teammate Sean O’Sullivan recently praised Lee for his energy in and immediate effect he's had on the playing group.
It marks an incredible 12-month turnaround for the former Knight, who made a remarkable comeback to the game after missing the 2021 season due to a series of foot injuries.
With his career in limbo, he made a return to the field in Round 6 and later entered the record books when he became the first Knight to ever score five tries in a game.
The 132-gamer was eager to build on that form at the Dolphins after overcoming a series of setbacks.
“Just to be a more consistent player and fingers crossed, touch wood, just to stay injury free,” Lee said when asked what his goals for 2023 were.
“I've had a big run of injury the last two years, so this is my first pre-season that I've completed in two years.
“[I am] just trying to continue to get better every day and not look too far, and to just focus on the now and hopefully steer in the right direction.”