Cowboys big man Shane Wright doesn't consider himself a Sandgroper but said it would be a homecoming of sorts if he was to play in next week's NRL Nines in Perth.
The second-rower was born in Perth and spent his early years in Western Australia before making the move to the Whitsundays.
Wright, about to commence his fourth season in Townsville, said he would be glad to strap on the boots in the Nines if selected by coach Paul Green.
"He hasn't named the team yet but if I do get picked I'll be keen as to go over there," Wright said on Thursday.
"I was actually born in Perth so I'd be keen to go back over there and play some footy.
"There's no more family over there but there are still some close family friends."
How the Perth NRL Nines will work
Growing up a rugby league state meant Wright quickly had to swap the Sherrin for Steeden.
"I played some soccer and AFL in Perth ... it's pretty hard when you grow up in North Queensland – it's pretty much rugby league."
The 23-year-old has some experience in the Nines format, playing for the Titans when he was an under-20s player on the Gold Coast.
"It's always fun playing Nines. I played as a teenager back when I was at the Titans and one year at the Cowboys in my first year," Wright said.
"I think it could be a huge growing place for the sport over there."
After playing a career-high 14 matches for the Cowboys in 2019, Wright said he was hoping to improve his consistency in 2020.
"I always go back to my work rate; I just need to work hard and be more consistent throughout the year, whether that be attack or defence," he said.
"Getting a few 80-minute games under my belt gives me the confidence to know that I can play the full 80 so I guess it's just working so I can maintain that."
Training in the heat and humidity of Townsville should pay dividends for the Cowboys early in the season, Wright said.
"It's a bit muggy and hot but that's what you get in North Queensland in the summer so we've all got to get used to that.
"I think its a bonus for us. I think we get an edge, especially when the away teams come up here in the early rounds – it gives us a huge advantage."
