Tt McCarthy will take to the field as starting fullback in St George Illawarra's first preseason trial tonight, against the Bulldogs.
But had it not been for a lifeline thrown to him late last year, things could have been vastly different for the 26-year-old.
"I would probably have been doing more personal training on the weekends instead," explained McCarthy, who was individually called upon by NSW Cup coach Paul McGregor during the off-season.
Full coverage of the Dragons"I was weighing up whether to try and carry on with football or try to get a bit more work on the weekends. When this opportunity came up, I just had to take it."
The experienced Carlton League campaigner has become an integral part of McGregor's Illawarra squad, which will feature heavily in the 27-man Dragons side playing tonight.
McCarthy never played Harold Matthews or Toyota Cup during his rise to the senior ranks, so he expects the experience of mingling with Dragons coach Steve Price and a handful of first-grade players to be uplifting.
"I've played with Thirroul basically from under 7s on," McCarthy said.
"At 26, you don't really think you're going to be given the opportunity to step up with all the younger guys and that's the reason why I thought I'd better do it, otherwise I'll regret it down the track.
"It's been really good to step it up to that next level and start at fullback this year, Mary's taught us so much already and made us step up to that next level."
McGregor expects McCarthy to play the first 20 minutes in tonight's game before coach Steve Price tinkers with other options for the custodial position.
The NSW Cup mentor is adamant the trial will be a gauge for him just as much as it will be for Price, who has five first-graders in the mix.
"Steve's obviously taking a side to Perth next weekend and what we've got from that is guys that he wants to have a run or otherwise guys that he's going to leave behind, and that's good for us," McGregor said.
"I see this weekend as an education. The guys haven't played together before ... they've got to now prove to themselves and the staff that they're capable of holding down a position in this squad.
"You don't buy respect, you earn it, and it's their time to earn it now."
Meanwhile, the venue for today's trial game between Wests Illawarra and the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers has been moved to Milton Park, Ingleburn.
The game, featuring several Wests Tigers recruits, including centre Joel Reddy, was originally due to be played at Sid Parrish Park before being rained out.
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