The NRL graveyard is littered with the gravestones of players who left for the UK at the top of their game only to return as tired old acts.
Of recent times think Matt Orford, Chris Hicks, Mark Riddell and Shaun Berrigan to make just four.
It's for that reason new South Sydney recruit Matt King is apprehensive about his comeback to the NRL via South Sydney after four years with Warrington in the Super League.
Despite his pedigree, the odds would appear against the 31-year proving a resounding success the second time around.
Asked if he was nervous about returning to the NRL, King admitted: "I am. Four years is a long time."
"I definitely haven't had my feet up in the UK - I had four good seasons with Warrington - but coming back to the NRL is nerve wracking."
"It's without doubt the premier rugby league competition in the world and coming to such a great club with a strong history...nervous is probably a good way to put it."
But King is not one to shy away from a challenge, having already relaunched his career once before.
Back in 2002 he quit the game and worked as a barman and garbo before being handed a lifeline by Melbourne.
He would go on to score 61 tries in 90 games for the Storm, playing in the club's 2006-7 grand final sides.
"I'm a big believer in getting out what you put in. The more hard work I put in the easier the season will be," King said of his return.
"If I can stay injury free and put my head down and bum up and work hard I think everything will be okay."
Which brings us to Origin.
Centre has been a trouble spot for NSW in recent series and King, at the top of his game, could be the answer.
He picked up nine tries in six appearances for the Blues from 2005-07 but believes his days in the state side are over.
"I knew this question was going to get thrown at me and I'll have to be pretty clichéd," King smiled when asked if he'd thought about Origin.
"If I think I'm going to go out and play in the centres for NSW next year I am kidding myself."
"I've got a pretty tough job to knock off Greg Inglis and Dylan Farrell out of the centres here at Souths and that's my main focus."
"But don't get me wrong - if Ricky Stuart or anyone at the Blues office rang me to say 'we'd like you to play' I'd be in the first taxi over to the SFS or wherever you get your headshots done."
"I'd be that happy. State of Origin was a very proud moment in my rugby league career but I'm not banking on ever playing for the Blues again."