Manly great Steve Menzies has always wanted to finish his playing days wearing the Sea Eagles' jersey and he remains a chance of doing that at age 40 this NRL season.
Menzies was officially named in Manly's squad for this weekend's inaugural Auckland Nines tournament on Tuesday alongside stars Daly Cherry-Evans, Jorge Taufua and David Williams.
The Manly great joins Brad Fittler in a cameo comeback for the Eden Park event.
But unlike Fittler, 42, who hung up the boots 10 seasons ago, Menzies, 40, played his last game for Super League's Catalans Dragons in September.
Menzies is only contracted for the Nines tournament but the Sea Eagles' longest-serving player said he wouldn't knock back a return to first grade this year if the club needs him.
"There would be a lot of things to happen before that came about, they would need to be in dire straits with lots of injuries, but it is Manly so I would have to consider it," said Menzies, 40, who last played for the club in their 2008 grand final win.
"It's a long way to go before that happens.
"At the moment I'm just proud to be back in the maroon and white, I haven't played in it in five years.
"I'm excited about playing in the Nines, it is a really great concept.
"I just hope they don't stick me out on the wing."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey, who spent nine seasons playing with Menzies at Brookvale, left the door open for the veteran's first grade return.
"Even a man of his ability is probably a bit past it by now but I'm not going to rule it out completely, Toovey said.
Of Menzies' participation in the Nines Toovey said: "We are very excited about the tournament, very excited for our fans and very excited for Beaver.
"Beaver only stopped playing three or four months ago so he is still match fit and we have put him through some tests and he come through with flying colours.
"Beaver is a quality athlete and I think he is ready to put on some good performances out there."
Jamie Lyon (foot), Steve Matai (ankle) and Anthony Watmough (foot) were all unavailable for the Nines due to injury but Toovey said they will be fit for round one against Melbourne.
