McCulloch suffered the horrific injury in the Greens' 17-0 loss to Hamilton in round two and was expected to be sidelined for the season.

But incredibly, the 22-year-old played 20 minutes off the bench in the 25-19 win over University on Saturday.

"I couldn't compare the pain to anything else that I have felt in my life," McCulloch said. "It was horrible. I was lucky [Merewether lock and orthopaedic surgeon] Michael Dan was there. He was able to pop it back in cleanly and there were no fractures."

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Initially, McCulloch was resigned to missing the season, but Dan and physio Dave Renfrew provided hope of a return.

"Danny reckoned if I put my head down and got right into my recovery, it was possible," McCulloch said. "I was desperate to get back. I didn't realise until I couldn't play, how much I wanted to play. I think we can win the premiership this year and didn't want to miss it.

"Dave Renfrew has been awesome. Once the joint was strong enough, he mapped out a gym program and a return-to-play program. I followed that to a T.

"It is sweet now. I wouldn't even know I have done it. I was nervous before Saturday but as soon as I got through the first hit, I knew I was good."

Merewether, who top the table on 52 points, have the bye this round before completing the season away to Maitland.

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