ROY O'Donovan joked that it was the world's longest game of poker.
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Now that the cards have been laid out and O'Donovan is back at the Jets, the hired gun is desperate to get back to doing what he does best - scoring goals.
O'Donovan is set to lead a goal-shy Jets attack against the Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
"I think I can bring something to the table here," O'Donovan said. "A bit of vibrancy, a bit of energy ... I have watched the team play the past few weeks and they are playing some good stuff.
"I have goals left in the tank. Hopefully, it can start this weekend against the Mariners. I have the bit between my teeth and have a point to prove."
The signs were encouraging at training on Tuesday where O'Donovan struck up an instant combination with Dimi Petratos.
"That is the beauty of it," said O'Donovan, who netted 20 goals in 35 games during his previous stint in Newcastle. "I played here for a while and got to know all the characters - the way they move, the way they play. Hopefully they understand me as well. That will help with the movements on the weekend. There won't be that few weeks of 'I should have went short or he wants me to go long'. We have a good rapport and hopefully can continue from where we left off."
The Irishman is also looking forward to working with Abdiel Arroyo and countryman Wes Hoolahan.
"I think we can complement each other well," he said on the Panamanian. "He does different things to what I do. Similar to Dimi and Wes. Hopefully we can all bounce off each other and be a real threat in the attacking half.
"I have been around long enough to know the importance of the people around you and the environment. We still have plenty of time left this season to do something really positive."
O'Donovan netted nine goals in the Jets ride to the 2017-18 grand final and added another 11 last season, despite missing 10 games on suspension.
He bought a family home in Cameron Park and was keen to stay in Newcastle.
However, talks broke down over the length of a new deal and the striker inked a lucrative two-year contract with Brisbane, where he was installed vice-captain.
After scoring six goals in nine starts for the Roar, he fell out of favour with coach Robbie Fowler.
"It just went a bit flat for me personally," said O'Donovan who returned to the Jets on a 18-month contract. "I was on the outside looking in really.
"I'm delighted to be back in Newcastle. We have a house here, friends here. It is a fantastic football club to come back to. Lifestyle-wise we loved it here and didn't really want to go anywhere.
"It worked out in the end. It was the world's longest game of poker but we finally got there.
"I'm glad because I can get my teeth stuck into something for 18 months. Obviously, there is going to be a new coach coming in. As someone who has been around the block a few times, I am coming here to bring a sense of positivity and energy in the door."
O'Donovan scored a hat-trick on debut for the Jets in a 5-1 rout of the Mariners in the opening round of the 2017-18 season. In total he has seven goals five games against Jets' fierce rivals,
"It would be nice if that happened again. Lightning striking twice," he said. "We will be going out there looking for a positive result. I'm sure it will be a different game. They have a different coach and different set of players.
"The same things apply. F3 derby, get stuck in, it will be a physical battle. The crowd will be baying for blood. It will be a tough game but one we are looking forward to."
