Playing at the highest level of Rugby League for 14 seasons, Australian-Maltese forward Ben Galea says the one-year deal to play with Hull FC in 2013 will be his last.
Galea, 34, was in Malta recently but for no holiday.
In spending most of his time with Malta coach Anthony Micallef, he busily ticked off a long list of assignments along the way.
An NRL premiership-winning player with the Wests Tigers in 2005, Galea accepted to be a guest coach to the Gozo Rugby League team as well as completing a number of media chores for the Malta Rugby League (MRL).
Primarily for his club, however, Galea was here to have his passport processed, having attained Maltese citizenship many years ago. The procedure would see him taken off the Australian player quota and providing added value to Hull FC.
But Galea makes no promise about going around again in 2014.
“I don’t know what I’ll be feeling like at the end of next year. If I feel I can still make a good contribution to the game then I’ll explore my options,” he said.
With pro rugby stars making a habit of touring Malta recently, Galea’s visit isn’t his first and won’t be his last.
“I really enjoy my visits here. It’s great to be back. I love the relaxed lifestyle people live here and I love how multi-cultural it is, it reminds me a lot of home.”
Galea accepts that social networking sites help him follow the game in Malta and he adds that he’d like to see more schools take up Rugby League.
To date, the game is taught at one school through the MRL Academy by former Gateshead Thunder player Roderick Attard who trained with Galea in England two seasons ago.
“I think the game in Malta is coming along well. I would like to see more schools become involved though but overall I think the progress it has made in the last four years has been outstanding,” Galea said.
And after four seasons at the Robins, fans will see the loose forward make the trip across the river to suit up for cross-town rivals Hull FC but he doesn’t expect anything too unpleasant from the supporters that thrive on one of English rugby’s biggest derbies.
“It’s hard to say how I will be treated by the KR fans.
“I do hope that they will respect the fact that I needed a job. I gave 100 per cent in every game I played for the Rovers and I know the fans will be forever grateful for that.”