Wests Tiger Cory Paterson back from rugby league wilderness

CORY Paterson likens the last two years of his professional career to being in the rugby league "wilderness".

Cory Paterson, during wests Tigers pre season training at St Luke's Park, Concord. pic mark evans

CORY Paterson likens the last two years of his professional career to being in the rugby league "wilderness".

Having spent last year playing in the English Super League with Hull KR, Paterson knew he still had more to offer in the NRL.

Wanting to move his young family back to Australia and with a burning desire to prove he can still mix it in the premier competition, Paterson accepted a one-year deal from the Wests Tigers.

And with nothing promised and little more than an opportunity, Paterson knows it is now up to him to determine his own fate.

Cory Paterson, during wests Tigers pre season training at St Luke's Park, Concord. pic mark evans

"I wanted to have another crack in the NRL," Paterson says of why he returned.

"I'd been in the wilderness I suppose you could say for the last probably two years and I just want to contribute knowing I can still play and play consistently."

Striking up a devastating left edge combination with Michael Dobson at Hull, Paterson's big right fend, left foot step and silky smooth passing wreaked havoc on the competition.

Cory Paterson, during wests Tigers pre season training at St Luke's Park, Concord. pic mark evans

It is little surprise the Wests Tigers were willing to offer the backrower a lifeline, but the Indigenous All Stars representative is quick to shut down any hype surrounding his return.

"I just came back for an opportunity - the Tigers gave me that and I just want to repay them and have another crack at it.

"I'm not going to say this is my year or anything like that. I don't want to put any extra pressure on myself. I just want to do my job and play some good footy. If I perform well I'll obviously be rewarded with a longer deal."

Cory Paterson, during wests Tigers pre season training at St Luke's Park, Concord. pic mark evans

The 26-year-old made his NRL debut back in 2007 for Newcastle. After four and a half seasons with the Knights, Paterson was a casualty of Wayne Bennett's arrival in the Hunter, which saw him quickly join North Queensland mid-year before departing at the end of 2012 on a two-year deal in England.

Asked whether he felt has a point to prove he said: "A little bit but I'm just trying to stay low key, worry about my own back yard and play some good footy."

Heavily into pre-season training with the Concord-based club, Paterson has made the transition back to the NRL a seamless one.

Cory Paterson, during wests Tigers pre season training at St Luke's Park, Concord. pic mark evans

But with a host of talented youngsters in Sauaso Sue, Bodene Thompson, Jack Buchanan, Curtis Sironen and Ben Murdoch-Masila all vying for spots in the backrow, competition is fierce.

"I've been training in the backrow where I have played most of my footy. All selections will take care of themselves if I train right during the pre-season. If I train well that will all take care of itself I guess.

"Everyone is training well and there is good competition but we have a pretty young side and if you trial well and have the right attitude you give yourself a good chance."