All 2500-plus of them as the Maitland Blacks family and wider community celebrated his return at the Hearts In Union charity day at Marcellin Park.

“It’s incredibly humbling. I’m just so grateful to all the people who turned up today to support the charity and to wish me the best,” Punch said.

Punch was discharged on Friday from Ryde Hospital after 10 months of rehabilitation for spinal injuries sustained in last year’s Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union second grade grand final.

Using a manual wheelchair to move around the sidelines, Punch was able to shake hands with the steady flow of well-wishers.

“It’s been 10 months since my injury, it is great to be back permanently,” he said.

“It will be a bit of an adjustment period to get back into a normal pattern, a normal life.”

Flanked by his family, Punch said he the support from family and friends over the past 10 months had been fantastic.

“I’ve had a regular stream of visitors, but  it will be nice to just be able to catch up with people at home and at the footy,” he said.

Punch was presented with membership to the Maitland Blacks 1877 Club and then presented a pewter mug to Danny Lewer’s to mark his 300^th game for the club.

Rob Williamson will play his 100^th game for the Blacks on Saturday as well.