CAPTAIN OZ

Q

How did you go from Runaway Bay to representing Australia in international football?

A

I was playing Powrgard Cup with my mates when I saw an online link for disability rugby league and thought I’d give it a go. It turns out I was actually good at rugby league with my experience in able-bodied football. In 2017 I had to stop playing normal footy because I needed a hip replacement but it helped me focus on DRL. I made the Wests Tigers disability team and lost in the grand final at the Auckland 9s. Two months later we beat the Kiwis at the Commonwealth Championship and I made the World 9s team.

Q

What were some of the other highlights of your international career?

A

You can’t go past captaining your country. When I found out there was going to be a proper Australian

team I got in the gym and worked hard to have a proper crack. If people were going to look at me and see the Australian captain, they need to think he looks like an athlete. That’s what I set the goal of, of a DRL player who can translate to able-bodied and fit in anywhere. That was the main reason that I wanted to captain, not for the label or respect but because I wanted to inspire young kids. I’m the only bloke in disability rugby league in Australia that has also played able rugby league, and captained under-16s, under-18s, under-20s, then captained reserve grade. I wasn’t sitting on the bench getting 10 minutes, I was one of the leaders. I wasn’t just a heartwarming story.