Jack de Belin has spoken publicly about his return to the NRL for the very first time, a month since rape charges against him were dropped and revealed his desire to return to the State of Origin arena.
De Belin hadn't played since 2018 under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy as he was charged with a serious crime. But after the jury failed to reach a verdict in de Belin's case, charges were dropped, the path was clear for him to play rugby league again and three weeks ago he was back in the first grade fold.
Speaking to Dragons media, the former Origin lock said it took some time to get used to being back at the NRL level.
"It's great to be back playing football again. I'm grateful for every game I get to play," he said.
"The game is different now and it's taken me a little while to get there but I feel like I'm finally finding my legs."
De Belin described the time away from the game during his lengthy court battle to clear his name as "challenging", and was relishing being back for the Red V, even if the squad is now made up of a few former NRL foes.
"It means so much [to be back]. Football is such a massive part of my life, to not be able to play it for close to three years was obviously challenging at times, but it's great being back out there, and I love being around the boys and all the coaching staff," he said.
"A lot of new faces and ex-Broncos players here now as well. But it's been great, especially a lot of players I used to play against, and now that I have them on my side it's great and I'm excited for the rest of the year.
"The first week threw me out a little bit, but I feel every week I'm getting better. To be honest I'm kind of happy because it suits my game."
De Belin flagged his intent to earn his Blues jersey back next year, having last played for NSW in all three games of the 2018 Origin series.
"I'd love to be playing Origin, but that's a little bit of wishful thinking there, so will move that over to next year," the 30-year-old said.
"But for the Dragons, [the goal is] definitely back to finals and have a deep run if not win the whole thing."
He also left the door ajar for possible international footy, at the Rugby League World Cup later this year – with Papua New Guinea.
"My nan was born there, so I've been eligible to play for them and when Adrian Lam was my under 20s coach he was also the Papua New Guinea coach and he was trying to get me to play for them," de Belin explained.
"At the time I wasn't ready, but you never know."
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