Wendell Sailor back with a blast

By Tim Keeble
Updated November 5 2012 - 5:26pm, first published May 18 2008 - 11:49am
Ruggin' up: Tobias Speirs, Neil Speirs, Meaghan Speirs and Craig Hall of Shell Cove enjoyed the event despite being chilled to the bone.Pictures: DAVE TEASE  Followers: Geraldine Brown, Teagan Williams and Leanne King travelled from Bulli to watch Wendell Sailor play for the Marlins.   The Sailor show: Col Jones, Wayne Lees, Richard Owen and Alex Simoes of Shellharbour at the Sailor comeback.
Ruggin' up: Tobias Speirs, Neil Speirs, Meaghan Speirs and Craig Hall of Shell Cove enjoyed the event despite being chilled to the bone.Pictures: DAVE TEASE Followers: Geraldine Brown, Teagan Williams and Leanne King travelled from Bulli to watch Wendell Sailor play for the Marlins. The Sailor show: Col Jones, Wayne Lees, Richard Owen and Alex Simoes of Shellharbour at the Sailor comeback.
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell Sailor back with a blast
Wendell greets some of  the big crowd after the end of the game. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Wendell greets some of the big crowd after the end of the game. Picture: DAVE TEASE

They braved a cold southerly blast to see Big Dell do his thing and he delivered beyond everyone's expectations.Playing his first game in two years after completing a two-year drug suspension, Wendell Sailor showed he had lost little if any of his trademark power and pace, helping the Shellharbour Marlins boost their winning streak to five in the Jim Beam Cup.The dual international was at his best when the game was on the line, scoring the final two tries to ice a 30-22 comeback victory over Erina.He was mobbed on the field as soon as the referee blew full-time and clearly savoured being back in the limelight after his forced hiatus.Kids wanted to touch him, fathers shook his hand and teenagers high-fived him while yelling "Great to see you back, Dell"."It's great. Everyone in rugby league's welcomed me back with open arms. I wanted to come here and play well for the kids, and also to make sure people don't think I'm washed up," Sailor told a large throng of reporters while chaos reigned all around him."It feels pretty good. I can tell you now, two years ago, I never thought it 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 was signed by St George Illawarra last week but will play with the Marlins again this weekend to gain fitness before he is called up to the Dragons.The 33-year-old's presence created a massive buzz around Shellharbour and a huge crowd turned out despite the weather turning nasty before kick-off.He mingled with spectators before the game, winning hundreds of new fans who will all be back for more on Saturday for the Marlins."He played well. It won't be too many games and he'll be back to the Wendell of old," coach Dave Walsh said.

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