RUGBY LEAGUE: South Sydney Rabbitohs player Dane Nielsen is back in Mackay Magpies colours.

The former Queensland State of Origin centre has played for Magpies before in 2015 before he left to play in the English Super League.

Last year, he played seven games for the Rabbitohs and scored three tries.

Nielsen has now played three games for the Mackay Magpies and coach Matt Temby said he's been a stand out each game.

"He played his first game back against Brothers and he was the best player on the field that day,” Temby said.

Nielsen re-joined to squad back in June.

"He just had enough and wanted to move home and play a bit of footy,” Temby said.

Nielsen is now back playing with NRL teammates Jardine Bobongie and Marmin Barba.

"He's good mates with Jardine and knows Marmin, they're all fairly close,” Temby said.

It adds to the experience in the premiership winning team who are gunning for a back to back win.

"There's a good mix at the moment,” Temby said.

"There's a few older blokes as well as a few young fellows and everyone gets along pretty well too.”

After defeating the Sarina Crocodiles at the weekend, Magpies sit third on the ladder below Souths Sharks on top and Wests Tigers.

"It was their (Sarina's) last home game of the year so they were pretty physical,” Temby said.

"It's always pretty rough down there.

"It was a tough game which was a good thing for us at the moment.”

Magpies face competition front runners, Souths, next weekend before a week off.

Result

Mackay Magpies defeated Sarina Crocodiles 28-10.