Kevin Locke may have played in an NRL Grand Final but on Saturday, he will run out for his first shot at a Fox Memorial final.

Following a professional career dogged by off-field issues, former Warrior and Kiwis player Kevin Locke is enjoying being back on the Auckland rugby league scene.

Locke will run out for the Point Chevalier Pirates in their Fox Memorial semi final this Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium - a ground he is familiar with having spent five years in the NRL as a Warrior.

The Northcote Tigers junior admitted it was "a bit weird" when he first pulled on the green and white of Pt Chev, but said he was enjoying just being back playing.

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF Kevin Locke says coming home and spending time with his son Louie was his main focus this year.

"Head space wise, I am in a really good place and the culture here is great ," he said.

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"My main focus this year was to come home and be a father to my son who I was away from for about three years while I was up in the UK and Australia. It has been awesome to just spend time with him and to get to play a bit of footy as well has been great."

PHOTOTEK Kevin Locke of the Pirates during the Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial match between Point Chevalier and the Mount Albert Lions.

The opportunity to play along side "good mate" Dylan Moses was a key factor in Locke joining the central Auckland club, though some family and friends were still warming to seeing the former Tiger in a different strip.

"The old man still won't let me in the house with my Pt Chev gears on, all in good fun of course. Like I said I'm just really enjoying being a part of the side," he said.

The Pirates finished the regular season atop the competition ladder with 15 wins and two losses.

They will face the Glenora Bears on August 19, who they drew 20-20 with in their last meeting. Kick off is 2.30pm at Mt Smart Stadium number two field.

In their round 16 clash, the Bears won the battle in the middle and Pt Chev will need to slow the play of the ball down if they are a chance of getting the win, Locke said.

"Collectively our preparation and trainings have lifted in intensity a lot. All of the boys have really bought into what the leadership group has been preaching and the results the last few weeks have reflected that," he said.

Though he spent the majority of his professional career at fullback, Locke will again be playing in the halves on Saturday.

"We have a dominant half on the other side who allows me to just kind of float, take it to the line and play my natural game which has been a lot of fun.

"For me this weekend is just about making sure that defensively my edge is solid and when we get the ball to just play hard and play straight."

Locke had battled with depression from an early age and before joining Pt Chev this season, had a number of professional opportunities cut short due to off-field indiscretions.

Following his exit from the Warriors in 2014, he had unsuccessful spells with Salford and Wakefield in the English Super League, where injuries and a pay dispute limited his playing time before Wakefield released him from his contract following an investigation by the club after a minor car accident.

In 2016, he spent a season with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Australia's Queensland Cup.

Locke also played eight internationals for New Zealand between 2011-2013.

Despite his professional honours however, an Auckland club titled still eludes the 28-year-old who plans on doing "everything physically possible" this weekend to get his side into their second straight final.