Davis to get run with Roosters at Nines
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
SYDNEY Swans premiership hero Nick Davis has always dreamt about playing rugby league.
The 39-year-old retired AFL player will get his chance after being selected as the Sydney Roosters’ “marquee” for the Nines tournament in Perth next month.
Davis played league as a junior and the Sharks fan idolised Andrew Ettingshausen.
“There might’ve been a couple of times when I was in trouble that it might be easier to jump ship and change codes,” Davis said.
“There was a time there I would’ve liked to play rugby league. I grew up in Sydney and played league as a junior and followed league my whole life. I can catch and pass and can kick more than anything.”
Tricolours coach Trent Robinson first floated the idea at the end of last year and
Davis agreed instantly with the Roosters fielding an inexperienced squad because of World Club Challenge commitments.
Robinson gave him more time to think it through before the pair committed to taking on the challenge.
Davis has spent the past two years as the Roosters kickand-catch coach, juggling the role with continuing commitments with the Swans.
He has spent time on the wing and Robinson will introduce him to more contact work in the coming weeks.
“Nick is a talented footballer,” Robinson said.
“We saw him with the Swans for so many years.
“He moves well. He moves like a rugby league player.
“He has a good spirit but there is a fire in him as well.”
“For him to do it at his age with being an AFL player it’s not like coming from rugby union to rugby league. (He has a) quiet determination.”