Twelve months on, Soper-Lawler is preparing for another trial - this time in Maitland Pickers colours against the Knights.

A new daughter and full-time study forced a change in focus but the door is still open at the Knights.

"Twelve months ago I was getting ready for the game against Cessnock, so it's a bit different being on the other side but I'm really looking forward to it," Soper-Lawler said of Saturday's clash between the Knights and Pickers at Maitland Sportsground.

"The most important thing for me was to leave the door open. I didn't go out with any bad blood or anything, I've got a family now and your priorities change and life changed a bit for me where I couldn't commit to the training down there."

Soper-Lawler and partner Brittany celebrated the birth of daughter Olive 14 weeks ago and as well as new family duties he is studying for a bachelor of teaching, working as a student loans support officer and doing some work with The Rugby League Academy with Pickers coach Matt Lantry.

"She is amazing. She is 14 weeks now, so obviously sleep is a thing of the past. She is doing really well," he said of baby Olive.

"I've decided just for now to play the first few games with Maitland and what happens from there, we will see.

"One thing for me is that I do love that professional training. Three nights a week, it's all structured and if I am good enough to play there that's obviously what I want to do as well.

"Just now the family is the priority."

Soper-Lawler's football journey has taken him to three states and trials with Melbourne Storm and the Newcastle Knights.

"It's all been a bit of a blur and I have to remember than I'm still only 25 so much has happened in such a short time," he said.

"As far as highlight, I think the time I spent in Melbourne was really good and that opportunity to play in the Nines and the Cam and JT Testimonial was a big one, just to be a part of that.

"The best thing has been to have played with so many good players. To play with the likes of (Ryan) Papenhuyzen, Cameron Smith, (Jahrome) Hughes I was pretty lucky and I still kind of pinch myself about it."

Soper-Lawler came out of COVID isolation on Tuesday. He is one of several Pickers players to have contracted the virus over summer.

"I will be fine. I was one of the really lucky ones I didn't get any symptoms. I'll be playing as many minutes as I'm allocated," he said. "We've been a bit disrupted with COVID, but we play footy this week and everyone will be feeling pretty good."

Soper-Lawler is encouraging any of his teammates who have ambitions to play at a higher level to put in a strong performance on Saturday and put their name in front of the Knights staff.

"It's a good challenge and a great opportunity for the boys who still want to get their name forward and probably have been missed by the Knights to this stage. It's really important for them to put in a good showing," he said.

As for the season ahead with the Pickers.

"It was disappointing the way it finished last season. We had ourselves in a good position and we would like to think we would have gone on with it, but obviously you don't know what happens in finals.

"This year is a new year and hopefully we can come away with it."

Action starts at 4pm Saturday when the Maitland Pickers reserve grade and then Macquarie Scorpions reserve grade take on the Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg team. Kick off in the main game between Maitland first grade and Knights NSW Cup is at 6pm.

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