Mick De Vere keen to return to NRL with Broncos
By Steve Ricketts | December 29, 2008 11:00pm
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003409,00.html
FORMER Test winger Mick De Vere is still waiting to get the green light from the NRL to resume his playing career with the Broncos after two years in retirement.
De Vere and the Broncos must convince the NRL to exclude the 32-year-old's job as a coaching and development officer with Easts Carina from salary cap assessments.
If not De Vere's comeback dreams could be over because it is unlikely the Broncos will have room to move under the cap.
De Vere announced his retirement after playing for Huddersfield in 2006 and returned to Australia where he took on the Easts Carina job, partly funded by the Broncos.
In the past 12 months he realised how much he missed playing and his aim is to become a 10-year player with the Broncos by playing in 2009.
De Vere wants to keep working in coaching and development and despite the demands on his time believes he can deliver for Easts Carina and the Broncos.
"The number one reason I'm playing is because I love the game and I love the Broncos and I want to come back and help the club," he said. "I also miss competing. Being out of it probably helped me get my desire back because I'd achieved everything I wanted winning premierships, playing State of Origin and playing for Australia.
"I wanted to go and play in England and I did that. So once I achieved all my goals I didn't have the same passion or desire.
"But getting into coaching and development gives you a new perspective on the game and it probably ignited that passion in me.
"I didn't really get to finish the way I wanted to here either with a knee injury and I had nine years and I'd like to have my 10th."
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said the club had submitted a detailed case to salary cap auditor Ian Schubert and they expected an answer early in the new year.
"We are not looking for anything special," Cullen said. "Mick just wants to continue in a job he has held for two years."