LOVE LOST AND FOUND

Q You seemed to be going places, so what curtailed your charge to the NRL?

A Just my knee, mate. I also had a high ankle sprain, syndesmosis in my ankle and then two lots of meniscus in my knee in 2006. The Storm did try to re-sign me but the Cowboys came in with a two-year deal. It was a good opportunity to come home and Craig Bellamy gave me his blessing. At that stage I’d moved out of the halves, playing more hooker. At the time there was Cameron Smith and James Aubusson. He’d recommitted to the Storm but he went to the Roosters a month after I signed for the Cowboys and then in ’07 Cam got suspended for the grand final and they had no hooker. I’m not saying that would have been me. At the Cowboys, midway through the year, I just turned 21 and I’d just had enough of footy. I couldn’t stand the game. A club sponsor owned an electrical and refrigeration company and I said I’d come see him and he offered me an apprenticeship and I gave footy away.

Q How did you get back into the game? Who do we have to thank for you being here?

A I had a few mates from Herbert River say to come down, you might enjoy it, it’s not serious. I got there and they were a real nice bunch. It’s like my second home. I ended up taking up the coaching role. I was 23, I was very young to be a player-coach, but it was just something that happened and no one thought I was a young punk. I only went to Newcastle to go to the mines, then Mum got sick, which brought me back here.