Family first Dan’s credo
HE is the rugby league warrior whose staggering size and wrestling exploits have him pegged as a transformer-like machine, but there’s a much softer side to Daniel Vidot.
Vidot will make his Gold Coast debut in the derby against the Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday having returned from England to be closer to his family.
Vidot proudly bears the responsibility of supporting his extended family, including his autistic brother and parents who are full-time carers, but revealed he had returned only with the blessing of his mother.
Struggling with being half a world away and having not seen his loved ones for almost a year had played on his mind.
“It was very hard being on the other side of the world,’’ Vidot said.
“I didn’t see (my brother) for a whole year and that was very tough for me, being a very family-orientated person.
“I’d always put on a brave face when I’d call them but it’d be a bit sad afterwards – sometimes there’d be a few tears.
When the Titans came knocking, Vidot didn’t have to think too long.
“Being over there to support my family was a very big challenge and when Neil (coach Neil Henry) gave me a call when I was over there, it was a pretty easy decision,’’ he said.
“I had a call with my mum and she said she’d rather have me being happy than (making better money).
“I had interest from a couple of clubs down south but I just wanted to come home and as soon as the Titans (offer) came, I took the deal.’’
Vidot admitted he felt the pressure of being the family breadwinner but supporting his family was something that he wanted to do.
“It definitely puts pressure on me but it’s something that I choose to do,’’ he said.
“Having an autistic brother, my parents have to stay home and look after him and it’s tough, so it’s a responsibility I take on my shoulders.
Vidot missed the first three games of the season with an adductor injury and said it had been tough watching his teammates struggle around him.
“With all the injuries, you kind of feel helpless, you see all the boys go down and you can’t do anything about it and you just feel helpless,’’ he said.
“But I’m over it now, my leg’s feeling better and I’ll come out blazing on Saturday night.’’
And the warm and fuzzy family man will be left on the sidelines, with Vidot transforming into a machine on the field.
“That’s what I want to do on Saturday night is bring the goforward and help out the forwards and get us on the front foot,’’ he said.
“In super hero round, what better way to do it?’’