PLAYING in tropical jungle conditions, being exposed to international opposition and learning about power plays.
Banditt celebrated his latest birthday yesterday after representing the Queensland Blades in his first national league game of the latest series.
It was an exciting Australian Hockey League (AHL) game where Tasmania took advantage of the new extra goal rules.
However, as he waited to see if he was selected for this week-end's AHL quarter-finals, Banditt was delighted with his latest overseas opportunity.
The former Hancock Brothers A-Grade regular and St Edmund's College student represented the Australian Burras under-21 side for the first time.
Banditt played in every game at the Sultan of Johor Cup tournament, featuring some of the world's most promising young hockey players.
As Banditt proudly declared, Australia received some valuable lessons on their way to winning the bronze medal match 6-1 over Japan.
After a surprise opening round 2-1 loss to Japan, Australia beat host country Malaysia 6-1 before drawing 2-2 with Great Britain and losing 5-4 to India.
Banditt said recovering to beat Japan in that bronze medal match was satisfying after their early defeat to the same team.
"We did our study, we did our homework, did our match reviews, videos and backed up and got the result, which is really good and promising for the future.''
Having made his AHL debut for Queensland last year, Banditt was keen to continue his hockey development.
He said playing in tough conditions against professional athletes at an elite level was a timely boost for him.
"Being exposed to the international scene was really good,'' he said. "Learning the way other countries play and learning different structures and styles was really beneficial.
"It was probably the hardest thing I've ever played in, in my life,'' the hockey player of the future said.
The Ipswich talent only arrived home last weekend before having to refocus on Queensland's latest AHL game.
"I missed the first two games of AHL due to my representative commitments with Australia under-21s,'' he said.
IPSWICH Jets back-rower Lorenzo Ma'afu has returned to pre-season training in peak condition and club chairman Steve Johnson is adamant the former Bulldog is on the cusp of an imminent return to the NRL.
Ma'afu played two games with Canterbury in 2008 and is regarded as one of the most talented forwards not to be currently playing in the NRL.
He was close to securing a gig with the Sea Eagles this year and his Wikipedia entry has him at Manly in 2012. That is not the case but the 24-year-old is highly regarded by Titans' coach John Cartwright and may yet get to play a pre-season trial with the Gold Coast next month.. If not, the versatile forward will be right in the mix for a call-up should the Titans season falter.
Ma'afu would likely be at Manly this year had former Sea Eagles recruitment manager Noel Cleal not gone to Canterbury in the aftermath of the grand final. Cleal, an old back-rower himself, was a huge fan of Ma'afu and was set to sign the star Jet before his sudden exit from the Sea Eagles' camp.
But Johnson said Ma'afu's chance would surely come in the coming months, whether he plays a trial for the Titans or not.
"The Titans intention was to give Lorenzo a crack in a trial as a reward for a stellar season last year and the way he always presents himself as a magnificently fit rugby league player who does some amazing things," Johnson said.
"Lorenzo always trains very hard and he was to get a trial with the Titans in a game over in Auckland. I believe that may be under review because John Cartwright may want to take some of his top 25 players over.
"But he is definitely on the radar of Manly and the Titans. Hopefully during the season he will get his long overdue call-up for the Titans. He deserves it. He has trained the house down again. He is superbly fit and motivated. He has been a wonderful asset around the club with his enthusiasm. Rugby league rewards effort and Lorenzo is always 100%. He never quits."
Jets new signing Javarn White has also made a big impression on Cartwright. White, a livewire fullback who joined the Jets from Norths, has been likened to Matthew Bowen and Preston Campbell in the way he plays the game. With the Titans looking for a new fullback he may well be a chance of playing in the number one jersey at some stage.
There is a draft draw out for the 2012 Queensland Cup with the official season program to be released next week. The Jets have some travelling to do first up.
"We've got the Northern Pride in Cairns and Mackay away in round one and three. It is a tough draw because those sides are traditionally at their best at that time of year," Johnson said.