RUGBY LEAGUE
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He's learning the ropes of the family-owned butcher business - in the hands of his father and uncle for 43 years - but it's Michael Korkidas' experience which has brought him back into the Illawarra Cutters' fold.
Having made a successful return to Australia with Dapto in the Illawarra Coal League this year, Korkidas answered a plea from Cutters coach Paul McGregor for their do-or-die clash last week.
His career includes eight games with the Sydney Roosters from 2001-02, but it was a nine-year stint in the English Super League which helped him forge a name for himself.
And even allowed him to captain his country, more known for their round ball-adoring fans.
"When you tell people Greece has a rugby league team they start laughing," Korkidas said.
"I just got a phone call a few years ago and they said Greece was putting a team together. I thought it was a gee up because Greece is not really known for that.
"It's more for mum and dad and the family. We grew up very, very Greek - we all speak it and we still write it.
"It's nice to give something back to the family and be proud of our heritage and our family."
Which is why the 32-year-old Korkidas - content with the part-time rugby league the Canaries offered in Wollongong - was happy to divert a large part of his focus to the business in Sydney.
"Dad and an uncle own it and they're ready to hand the reins over," Korkidas said. "They said I'm at the best school."
Korkidas came off the bench in his first NSW Cup match last week, as a desperate McGregor attempted to keep his side's finals hopes alive.
The Cutters held up their end of the bargain with a gritty 27-22 win over the Wests Tigers, but today's opponents Wentworthville stunned table-topping Cronulla to kill off any lingering finals hopes.
"It was a bit of an SOS call I think," Korkidas joked. "He [McGregor] wanted some back-up and a bit of experience and I fitted the bill.
"There's a lot of young fellas and I realised that when I went to the first training session on the Tuesday. I thought I was the oldest one there.
"I really enjoyed it too. The body is fine and hopefully we have a good win [today] in front of a healthy crowd."