Adrian Morley feared his playing career might be over after being sidelined by a head injury earlier this summer.
The Warrington Wolves captain took a knock in a match against St Helens in June and his double vision failed to clear up.
The club eventually found the right medical advice and it was discovered the problem was muscle damage. Morley underwent corrective surgery at the beginning of this month but was fit enough to feature for Warrington in their Super League play-off victory over the Huddersfield Giants.
And it would be fitting if the big prop forward were to lead out the Wolves in the Grand Final at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground on October 8.
Morley, 34, has been a trailblazer for English rugby league. He made his debut for the Leeds Rhinos in 1994 and won the Challenge Cup with them in 1999 before moving to the Sydney Roosters in 2001.
The 6ft 3ins, 105kg forward was one of the first Englishmen to make a big impression in the NRL and won a Grand Final with the Roosters in 2002.
His physical style of play won him many fans in Australia but also earned him an unenviable record when he was sent off after just 12 seconds in a Test against Australia in 2003.
It would be a well-deserved swansong for a stalwart of the game were he to appear at Old Trafford, but first he has to overcome a familiar foe when Warrington play Leeds tonight.
One things is for sure, Morley will not be found wanting when it comes down to the physical confrontations.
