A TITAN’S REALITY
NRL TEAM ON TOOLS
JARROD Wallace hopes to extend his NRL career as long as possible after being reintroduced to the real world this week.
The Queensland State of Origin front-rower is spending the week working for Red Dog Landscaping as part of Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan’s back to work initiative.
Wallace noted the change of pace had not been too taxing physically but the mental challenge was an eye-opener into the work and footy juggling act that lower level players experience. “It is very mental and (on Monday) night you could see that the boys were already working in their heads,” he said.
Wallace previously worked as a landscaper during his under-20 days but said a return to the field had been a refreshing change that he hopes to see the club continue from time to time.
“My old man made me work, concreting and landscaping, I did it for two and a half years so unlike some guys like Ryan James I have actually got my hands dirty in my time,” he laughed.
“It has been good to get back into it.
“Especially for the young guys that do come straight out of school and straight into NRL contracts and football, for after footy if they don’t do it, it’s a bit of a rude shock for them.
“And even the old boys who have played footy for so long, it’s a bit of a change-up in routine, it’s good, so I like what Garth has done with it.
“When the boys are sitting there whingeing because they have run too far or their legs hurt a little bit, it definitely makes you appreciate it more getting back out on the site and digging holes.”
It has also made it clear to Wallace that he doesn’t want to become a full-time landscaper any time soon.
“I’m not a big fan of digging holes and trenches and things like that to tell you the truth … I’ll have to work harder on that radio career,” he said of his post-footy ambitions.
As for progress on the paddock, the 27-year-old admits he is in much better shape than this time last year.
“I have come back a little bit lighter and not as fat as last year so I am actually enjoying pre-season,” Wallace said.
“I am enjoying the running, enjoying no injuries, enjoying no off-season surgeries so it has been really good.”