Jack Kelly feels like he's "back home".
Following two COVID-interrupted campaigns at Central, the Eleebana 26-year-old has returned to Lakes and once again finds himself in the No.7 jersey.
The relocation initially coincided with former NRL player Dylan Phythian, who is currently captain of the Knights' NSW Cup side, also making the off-season move from the Butcher Boys to the Seagulls.
Kelly knows this combination may no longer come to fruition in Newcastle Rugby League competition for 2022, however, looks forward to donning the blue and gold uniform alongside some familiar faces.
"Originally I signed back there with Phyth to be the halves combination there, but he's back in town at the moment," Kelly told the Newcastle Herald.
"But it's all good because I've still got a lot of good mates there with Pecky, Glohe, Bossy [Daniel Peck, Nick Glohe and Shaun Boss].
"All those senior boys who we're already there and Mitchy Williams came over from Central with me as well."
Having played juniors at Windale, Central, Valentine and Lakes, former Knights' under-20 representative Kelly has spent the bulk of his senior career with the Seagulls.
This featured a reserve-grade title in 2015, the same year Lakes last held aloft the Tooheys Cup trophy, and a grand final appearance with the Seagulls in 2018.
Kelly joins a squad coached by Ian "Bubba" Bourke, who was appointed to the position midway through last season.
"He [Bourke] has just brought back a lot of professionalism to the club," Kelly said.
"He's coached at a high level and just really knows how to get people training hard and doing the right things. On and off the field he's just a good bloke and really good mentor."
Kelly, who is a support worker at Allambi Care, reckons the Lakes playing group is itching to get onto the paddock after their season opener against Kurri Kurri was washed out last weekend.
The Seagulls, marking their 75th anniversary, are drawn to meet Cessnock away on Saturday and the Roos at Wyong the following week before hosting Maitland at Cahill Oval on April 16.
"It's been the most solid pre-season I've had in the Newcastle comp. I'm just hoping between this weather and COVID, everyone can just play some footy," Kelly said.
Meanwhile, the region will be represented in the women's NSW Country Championships final with Newcastle scheduled to tackle Central Coast at Woy Woy on Sunday (3:15pm).
The Knights booked a place in the decider after beating the Macarthur Wests Tigers 32-0 in last weekend's semi at Shellharbour.
