Kris Kahler back from Europe

Carly Morrissey | 27th November 2009

EX-GYMPIE student turned professional rugby league player, Kris Kahler, thought about walking away from the game he loves before agreeing to play in Europe for one year.

Kahler said the trip was like a working holiday and it made him enthusiastic about football again after a stint playing with the Gold Coast Titans left him disgruntled.

Kahler returned to Australia in September and has now signed on to play with the Redcliffe Dolphins.

While living in Brisbane he is working as a contractor but will move back to Gympie with his young family in a couple of weeks' time.

Growing up in Gympie, all Kahler wanted to do since the age of 12 was play footie and that was one thing he did well.

Since leaving school he has played professionally, making his NRL debut with the Canberra Raiders, something he describes as the highlight of his career.

A deal with the Titans seemed too good to pass up, but after some A-grade action he had a “falling out” with the coach and didn't get picked for the top team again.

The second rower said he regretted moving to the Titans.

Then, when the opportunity to play in France and England came up, he took it.

“Overseas was a good experience ... league is not as big there as it is in Australia,” he said.

“I felt I played well over there and decided to have another shot.

He played a lot of good footy in France and England, three seasons back to back, and really enjoyed playing again.

He doesn't rule out one day coming to play for Gympie again, but has high hopes for his future and he wants to go out on a better note.

“There's a few things I wanna do before I quit playing professionally,” he said.

He will now see where playing with Redcliffe takes him. A deal with Sydney was also on the cards but he didn't want to move out of Queensland.

“(Redcliffe) are a good team. They are the premier club in the Queensland cup. They have bought a few good players a new coach, trainer and have high hopes for the season.”

He aims to play NRL again, hoping to get a run for Brisbane Broncos at State of Origin.