Leave it to a big game entertainer like Wendell Sailor to script a show-stealing performance in his much talked about rugby league comeback.
A dual international who has achieved the highest honours on the world's brightest league and rugby union stages, Sailor saved his best till last in Saturday night's Jim Beam Cup clash at Ron Costello Oval, scoring two tries in crunch time to seal the Shellharbour Marlins' remarkable 30-22 come-from-behind win over Erina.
Sailor - who has been signed by St George Illawarra after serving a two-year drug ban - was swamped by young and old well-wishers immediately after the full-time siren, invoking memories of the '60s and '70s when crowds rushed onto the ground to get close to their heroes.
Sailor had said on the eve of the match that leaving a lasting impression on the league-loving Shellharbour locals was just as important to him as playing well.
Judging by the hero's reception he was afforded before, during and especially after the game, the 33-year-old winger clearly lived up to the home crowd's expectations.
They cheered every time he touched the ball and Sailor's two-try performance ensured they went home satisfied that the cover charge was money well spent.
"It's great. Everyone in rugby league's welcomed me back with open arms," the former Kangaroos and Wallabies star said.
"I wanted to come here and play well for the kids, and also to make sure people don't think I'm washed up.
"It feels pretty good. I can tell you now, 18 months, two years ago, I never thought (such adulation) could be possible. There's a long time to go and a lot of hard work yet, but it's good to get that first one away."
Sailor happily chatted to spectators while watching the Group Seven curtain-raiser between the Shellharbour Sharks and Berry-Shoalhaven Heads.
He was last onto the field when the Marlins ran out and a poor first half by the home team prevented him from showcasing his power and foot-work.
The second half was all Shellharbour and Sailor was prominent with typically determined charges into the defence and a number of deft offloads.
"It was good to score a couple of tries, but I was more disappointed in losing two balls in the tackle and I missed a tackle," he said.
"I'm a bit hard on myself so I have to go back and work on that, but I think it was an all right performance for my first game back."
Reliving his first try in Marlins colours, Sailor said: "I just called it. Being an old winger, you see a bit of space ... the boys kicked it there and I was lucky enough to jump and get it. I wanted to celebrate but I didn't want to carry on too much. I would've liked to have got a hat trick, but you can't get every one.
"The boys were great. Some of those young blokes were very enthusiastic. I was barking at 'em, but they were doing their job and they're quite confident. That's why they'd won four in a row."
That winning streak is now at five and Shellharbour coach Dave Walsh will have Sailor for one more week before his expected promotion to the Dragons.
"He played well. He had some good strong runs and carried four blokes with him at times and it won't be too many games and he'll be back to Wendell of old," Walsh said.
"He was really strong. You can see he's still got the power and class."
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