Days after his 44^th birthday, the veteran forward linked with just his third club in more than two decades.

Besides two years with Group 20 club Tullibigeal Lakes United, Dodson has been a stalwart for Canberra Raiders Cup club Goulburn.

However with the competition not being played this season Dodson has again shaken off an attempt to retire.

"I wasn't going to play again," Dodson said.

"It wasn't planned but the kids aren't playing their sport because of the corona and it freed up a bit of time.

"I was getting bored.

"You miss being around it."

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The return to the field is the fifth time Dodson has come out of retirement.

However he believes the shortened season will suit.

"It is only eight weeks, which will probably suit my body a lot better," Dodson said.

"It is just something new and something I haven't done.

"Even going back to Lake, when I only played a few games through the year and came back for finals, was like coming home.

"Going to Young is a whole new thing for me."

While still impressing for Goulburn last year, Dodson expects to be in for a different challenge.

Especially with a new-look team trying to come together off an interrupted preparation.

"It was always something I wanted to do, but I just didn't get around to it," Dodson said.

"I probably left it about 15 years too late."

He's hoping to bring plenty of experience to the side who have had a big makeover with Nick Hall coming back to the coaching role.

Dodson will travel from Goulburn with Blake Hewitt, while Mick, Joe and Ben Picker may be picked up along the way to head to training.

Their addition has rocketed the Cherrypickers into title contention despite finishing third last in 2019 with six wins, five of them coming in the last 10 games of the season.

Young kick off with a clash against Junee on July 19.

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