Yass Magpies coach Steve Naughton. Photo: Jamila Toderas 

First it was osteitis pubis, then a crippling back condition, but after five years of pain, Yass co-coach Steve Naughton will finally return to the field.

Naughton's last game was for the Pia Donkeys in France in 2012 before a debilitating groin injury struck him down and required five operations.

Now that's set to end with Naughton running out at five-eighth for the Magpies when they travel to face the West Belconnen Warriors on Saturday.

Gungahlin Eagles rugby player Vatiliai (goes by Pat) Tuidraki at his day job as a childcare worker. Pat has just signed a contract to play professional rugby in Japan, and will leave his job to chase his rugby dreams. Photo: Karleen Minney

From dirty nappies to professional rugby. Gungahlin Eagles back Vatiliai Tuidraki will swap his job at a childcare centre in Spence for a chance to work with a World Cup winning coach in the coming weeks.

But Tuidraki's contract with Japanese club Verblitz means more to him than the opportunity to link with former South Africa and ACT Brumbies mentor Jake White.

It's a chance for Tuidraki to honour his father's memory by following the family footsteps to play in the Japan Top League.

Sport. Men's Premier League soccer at Deakin Stadium. Canberra FC (red top) versus Belconnen United (blue top). Matt Grbesa, left and Domenic Giampaolo. Photo: Graham Tidy

Belconnen United recruit Izach Clemence will be keen to show Canberra FC what they're missing when the centre back faces his former club just days after leaving.

Despite more than 100 first grade appearances with Canberra, there was no room for Clemence in the club's first team this year, leaving the door open for Untied coach Dean Urginic to secure his man.

Clemence will slot into United's defensive line on Saturday alongside former Canberra teammate Matty Grbesa who made the switch to Belconnen two seasons ago.

Jackson Clark is on a football pilgrimage, playing one game of football in each of Australia?s states and territories in the one season. Photo: Jamila Toderas

Jackson Clark had never met his new Gungahlin Jets teammates just days out from his AFL Canberra first grade debut, so he knew he had to speak up.

Now he wants others to do the same.

The Northern Territory-based radio presenter is three weeks into a nomadic football journey that will take him all around the country to open discussions about mental health.

Clark has seen friends and former teammates suffer from mental health disorders and in a bid to rid football clubs of the stigmas surrounding them, he is aiming to be the first person to play at least one game of football in each state in the one season.