FORMER Queensland Maroons legend Petero Civoniceva has announced his comeback to rugby league, set to return in the Intrust Super Cup this weekend.

The Redcliffe & Bayside Herald can reveal Civoniceva will return for his junior club Redcliffe against Burleigh on Sunday, May 25.

“Coming back and playing for Redcliffe, giving back to the club was something I always wanted to do,” he said after playing last season with the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Speaking from Dolphin Oval, Civoniceva said he was looking forward to running around with the boys again but would need to fit a few more training sessions in to be match fit.

His busy work schedule meant the 38-year-old could not commit to training earlier in the season but will be on the paddock at Dolphin Oval on Wednesday night ahead of his first game of the season this weekend.

Redcliffe coach Troy Lindsay said Civoniceva’s experience would be the greatest asset to his young and injury-hit side.

“He carried that experience, which is what we are lacking a bit at the moment — that experience and level-headedness,” Lindsay said.

Civoniceva captained the Redcliffe Dolphins last season, but will not take the captain role off Marty Hatfield and Jon Green for 2014.

Green said there was an excited “Christmas Eve feeling” in the dressing sheds.

“Everyone knows what he has done in the game and to have him in our team and at our club is pretty exciting,” Green said.

“I’ve never played alongside him. I’ve played against him a few times but I’m really excited.

“It will be great for our young front rowers to have someone like Petero to look up to and learn from.”

Lindsay played a few games of first grade with Civoniceva in 1994 and is looking forward to having the club legend back around the club.

“I can learn as much from him as anyone else; he has been coached by the best,” Lindsay said.

“We are in the situation now that the next three weeks will be crucial for our season.

“We are still close enough to the top to fight for second or third spot, or first if we want.

“But if we don’t do well we could easily be out the back door and really fighting for our season.”

Redcliffe have Burleigh, Northern Pride and PNG in the next three weeks.

“They are three really tough games,” Lindsay said.

“We have not won against the Pride since 2008 and PNG will be tough at home.”

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