Six months after his sex tape and drug possession scandal, Corey Norman wants to reclaim star status on the field this NRL season.
Norman will lead Parramatta at the Auckland Nines on Saturday in what will be his first competitive match since being hit last year with an eight-game ban for a string of offences.
"It was hard. I've never missed that much football in my life - the longest I've been out is two weeks, and that was only injury," Norman told AAP on Friday.
"When you sit out that long, you really appreciate how lucky you are - you get to do what you love for a living. That really hit home and it's been good."
Norman recalled how he apologised to his teammates immediately after his drug conviction, and remained driven to pay back the club for standing by him, particularly coach Brad Arthur.
Despite his indiscretions, the Eels re-signed Norman last year to a lucrative three-year deal.
"I apologised to the boys after my court date. We had a little chat and I got up and said sorry to the boys, even the coaching staff as well," he said.
"I let a lot of people down. I got up and said sorry and we moved on from there.
"Look, going to every new year you want to play well for your club and for your teammates. But there's definitely a little bit of motivation there. Brad's shown a lot of faith in me.
"I haven't changed 180, but I definitely learnt some lessons along the way and I'm trying to get better every day and make better options."
Former teammate Jarryd Hayne, who will skipper Gold Coast at the nines, believes the 25-year-old Norman has matured into a fine captain.
The pair spent one year together at the Eels in 2014 before Hayne left for the NFL.
Norman was captain of the Parramatta side who claimed the nines title last year before it was stripped from the club as part of the punishment for salary-cap cheating.
"I think he's come a long way since he left Brisbane," Hayne said.
"The way he played last year, he definitely lifted the team. Captaincy's good for him. I think it really sharpens him up and he embraces the leadership role as well."
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