He might be enjoying some cold ones after training for the first time in a long career but Trent Waterhouse hasn't come to Thirroul for a few beers and a laugh.

The 34-year-old veteran of five Origins, 12 Tests and 186 NRL games only retired from the British Super League last year where he finished third in player of the year voting and, after re-uniting with 2003 premiership-winning teammate Luke Swain, has put off retirement in an effort to take the Butchers to back-to-back Coal League titles.

Gibson Park is a long way from the bright lights of ANZ Stadium where he's donned both blue and green and gold jumpers but, after 12 years in the top flight, Waterhouse is enjoying the change of pace.

"It's good to be able to go for a beer after training I haven't had that for last 10-15 years," Waterhouse said.

"But they're a great bunch of blokes who love their footy and it's a very tight-knit team and club."

Having lost premiership winning captain-coach Nathan Fien, Waterhouse's arrival is a huge boost to the Butchers' chance of winning a second straight title. Waterhouse said playing with Swain 12 years after they hoisted the NRL premiership with the Panthers was too good an opportunity to pass on.

"That was one of the things that brought me here," Waterhouse said.

"I was talking to [club president] Billy Millard and then Swainy told me he was taking the captain-coach role and that was the clincher for me.

"I'm good mates with Swainy.

"I haven't played with him since 2006 or something so it's been great to re-unite with him and he's doing a great job as coach.

"We just can't wait to get into the season now."

Having won a premiership with the Panthers in 2003, Waterhouse knows what to expect as the Butchers carry the defending premiers tag through the 2015 season.

"It always puts that target on your back," he said.

There'll be no one gunning for the Butchers more than the Tigers who are still burning from a two-point loss in last year's decider and are coming off a 78-4 thrashing of Aquinas in the Challenge Cup.

The Butchers were impressive in beating Collegians 26-4 meaning both sides will enter the grand final rematch in hot form.

"I couldn't think of a better game to start the season," Waterhouse said.