Former Wigan Warriors forward Gabe Hamlin returned to the field today after completing a two-year drugs ban.
Hamlin turned out for Cronulla Sharks in a trial match against St George Illawarra Dragons and put in an impressive performance, 22 months since last taking to the field.
He was suspended by the Warriors in April 2019 after he returned a positive sample following their opening-round clash with Leeds Rhinos earlier that year. He subsequently returned to Australia to be with his family and was sacked by the club during the summer.
Hamlin, now 24, claimed the substance had passed through his system after kissing a woman he had met through an online dating site the night before his sample collection.
He was banned by UKAD for two years, but his ban expired on February 7th of this year.
His performance for the Sharks was received favourably with Hamlin, nicknamed 'The Hammer', setting up a try after a line break in the second half. Cronulla won the game 38-26. You can watch the highlights here.
After arriving from South Sydney Rabbitohs, Hamlin made 19 appearances for the Warriors in 2018. He made seven appearances from the bench a year later before being suspended in April.
His departure, in part, saw Morgan Smithies emerge later in the year. The Wigan youngster became a regular soon after Hamlin's departure and is now considered one of the best young players in the world.
It's not yet known whether Hamlin has secured a contract with the Sharks.
