In 2013 he was wearing lime green. The Canberra winger with “white blond hair” remembers towelling up Melbourne that day.
A few months later he would be rubbed out of the sport for performance enhancing drugs offences, and he hasn’t been seen in a professional rugby league game since.
On Friday night he returns to Kardinia Park to make his long-awaited first-grade return. This time he’ll be wearing purple, and a bit more muscle.
“I guess I’m trying to use everything that’s happened in the past as motivation and fuel, but also just keep it really simple,” Earl told media on Thursday.
“That’s my main motivation. It’s not as much about me as it might have been a year ago.
“The support I’ve had from fans, family, friends, all the coaches here and the staff, they’ve gone above and beyond.
“Everything you see, whether it’s in the trials or during the year in the NRL is a by-product of them.
After his lengthy NRL suspension was handed down, Earl escaped to Thailand where he started his own business and stayed out of the Australian public’s eye.
Then, three weeks into his first pre-season in half a decade, Earl ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and the dream was shattered ... again.
Melbourne hierarchy kept the faith. They overlooked his rehabilitation and then handed him a new two-year contract, which Earl grabbed with both hands.
He will finally step out in a Storm jumper on Friday night. An NRL return can’t be too far away.
“Last year was definitely a disappointment. The biggest thing was in 2017 I put so much hard work in by myself, training, just preparing to be ready for the pre-season. Then three weeks in to do what I did, tear my ACL, last year was a write-off,” Earl said.
“But credit to the club I’m here with another opportunity to play first grade and I’m so grateful. I’m using that as fuel - everything the club has done for me, all the staff, all the players who I now have as mates.
“I’m looking forward to running out with them and putting it all behind me to be honest.
“It’s been the toughest pre-season I’ve ever done, (which is) typical of the Melbourne Storm.
“The best word to explain it is ‘prepared’. I feel like I’ve done everything I can.