RUGBY LEAGUE
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There was a time when Beau Henry's NRL debut for the Dragons seemed a fait accompli.
His NYC Player of the Year gong with the Dragons in 2009 made the Warilla product the most highly-touted NRL prospect in a crop that included the likes of Trent Merrin, Mitch Rein and Jack de Belin.
The fact that it's five years later and he's still chasing his Red V debut - after a brief interlude with the Knights and Titans - would be a source of frustration for some, but the 24-year-old is simply grateful the elusive dream is still within reach.
"It's great being back and seeing all the boys again," Henry said.
"Mary's given me the chance to come back home and get that Red V jumper I didn't get when I was younger when I was here.
"I came through the system here, 16s, 18s and 20s, and back then I just wanted to play [NRL] in front of my friends and family. Hopefully I get the chance to do that this year."
Henry said a number of career false starts with Newcastle and Gold Coast while watching his former teammates debut at the Dragons had made him long for a return home.
"Seeing some of my mates play first grade here really made me want to come back and earn respect from the boys and get that jumper," Henry said.
"Trent Merrin, Mitch Rein and Debsy [de Belin] all debuted here.
"I would've liked to debut here but I got offered the chance to play in Newcastle and pursue my dream up there. Benny Hornby and Sowie [Jamie Soward] were doing a good job here and I just felt like I was [NRL] ready and they were in front.
" I got offered a gig to play first grade and I took my chance. I had a few games there before I hurt my knee, but I'm back here now and I'm really looking forward to 2015."
His Dragons debut may seem less likely than it did five years ago with Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop occupying the halves, but Henry intends to make them work for it.
"I've got Gaz and Benji in front of me, but hopefully I can push them and make them play good footy," he said. "But whether it's playing six or seven or playing off the bench in the forwards, I'll just be happy to be back in the NRL."
With the superstar pair blocking his immediate path, Henry said he had added some other strings to his bow as he pushes for an NRL start.
"It never hurts to be doing a bit of extra dummy-half passing or fill a few different positions," Henry said. "I had a trundle at fullback and in the centres when I was playing at Tweed, and it helps to be versatile.
"If you're a one-position player you've only got one spot but if you've got a few more it adds to your bow."