Australia has had four prime ministers and John Farnham has had three farewell tours since Cameron Steer last stepped onto a volleyball court.
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It's the comeback nine years in the making and Steer will finally return for the Canberra Heat against the University of Technology Sydney-Sydney University Shield at the AIS on Friday night.
Steer took up a national rowing scholarship in 2008 and has since won state rowing titles, competed all over Europe with one of Ireland's elite rowing teams, and even landed himself a Canberra first grade cycling sponsorship.
The 28-year-old didn't played a single game of volleyball for almost a decade while he was rowing and but was rushed back training with the Heat as they look to avenge last year's grand final loss.
"The last time my feet left the ground in those nine years was to get on the plane, I generally didn't play in all that time," Steer said.
"I was thinking about going back and playing in a social league when [coach Les Young] got in contact and said 'how would you feel coming and trailing for Heat?' I was very lucky to have the support of the guys there and I ended up making the team.
"It sounds a lot simpler than what it was. There was a lot of things behind the scenes that really made that happen, it certainly wasn't a free pass."
The Canberra product admits there will be plenty of nerves ahead of this weekend's double-header but after so many years out of the sport he couldn't be more excited to pull on the blue and yellow jersey again.
With his attention now back on volleyball and part time cycling, Steer hasn't given much thought to a rowing return but he definitely won't rule it out.
"I'm very nervous but excited at the same time and more than anything else just really grateful for the support from the team," Steer said.
"I haven't thought about it a whole lot, I do miss the sport and the guys at the Canberra rowing club are family to me.
"I'd love to go back and I know that the state championships are coming up in March, so I haven't ruled out a quick return but I think it's going to hurt too much."
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE
Friday: Canberra Heat v University of Technology Sydney-Sydney University Shield at AIS. Men at 6pm, women at 8pm.
Saturday: Canberra Heat v University of Technology Sydney-Sydney University Shield at AIS. Men at 10am, women at 12pm.
