Noel answers SOS call

The circumstances for his return were far from ideal.

Downright ordinary, in fact.

And if Noel Goldthorpe had his way, his well-worn footy boots would still be shoved at the bottom of his closet, gathering dust.

But the recent ill health of Noosa’s captain and halfback Dane Campbell has prompted Goldthorpe to answer an SOS from the Pirates in time for the finals.

Now 40, the crafty playmaker featured in his first A-grade match of the season for the 2006-08 premier in Noosa’s 30-14 victory over Maroochydore on Sunday.

Campbell was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a subdural haematoma as a result of an on-field clash three weeks ago. Campbell, a former Newcastle Knight, was present at the game on Sunday but his coaching duties have been taken over by Noosa team manager Guy Porter and utility Anthony Zipf.

Goldthorpe rated his performance against the Swans as a six out of 10 yesterday and confirmed he would be available for selection for the Caloundra RSL Cup finals, which start the last weekend in August.

“That (Campbell’s health) is the only reason I’m back,” Goldthorpe said.

“A few of the boys have been hounding me the last few weeks to come back.

“I played the week before in reserve grade and I will probably need another week before I really get back in the swing of things,” he said. “Dane was there yesterday and he popped his head in the sheds beforehand and said g’day to all the boys.

“He’s not supposed to be under any stress at the moment, but I don’t think we helped that much with some of the mistakes we made.”

Noosa boasts just six wins from 14 matches this season. However, it will still make the semi-finals, given five teams qualify for the playoffs in the seven-team competition.

Noosa also welcomed back pivot Sean Pickup from injury in the match against Maroochydore. Pickup was Goldthorpe’s regular halves partner last year, which should make his task of settling back into the fray a little easier.

“We were straight into it yesterday. He knows how I like to play, as I do with him,” Goldthorpe said.