Bunty’s battle to bounce back
When Warriors prop Bunty Afoa first received the bad news last year, he didn’t know how to take it.
A home-grown product, Afoa had starred for the Junior Warriors, then made his first-grade debut as a 19-year-old in 2016. He had played 64 NRL games, standing out with his strong runs and solid defensive ability.
But the club had decided he wasn’t part of their frontline plans for 2021, telling him he could look elsewhere for another contract.
If that rejection felt bad, being in the middle of rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, after tearing his ACL in pre-season, compounded the feeling of despair.
“I was a bit down,” said Afoa. “I was sorry for my injury, I didn’t even have that in the back of my [mind], the club wanting to release me. Finding that out put a lot of pressure on me.
“[But] I got a lot of messages from the boys, just work hard and try to earn that spot again. It gave me that motivation to just push. I just believed in myself, I knew I could push through.”
Afoa also took strength from his support network, with his large family (nine siblings), friends and partner.
“I was lucky enough, I had a strong base beside me and they [have] supported me through my whole career,” said Afoa. “They support 100 per cent on what decision I make, whether to stay or go.
“I told them I was going to stay and they were all a bit shocked about it. I just told them I was going to back myself all the way, and they were happy with it.”
It was a brave call — as St Helens had put a three-year deal on the table — while the Warriors seemed to have prop preferences elsewhere.
But with the decision made, Afoa
I just got injured leading up to round one and I was gutted. I was heartbroken. Bunty Afoa
had to find the strength for his long rehabilitation.
“Watching the games, that was the toughest moment for me,” reflects Afoa. “Week in and week out, watching the boys putting their bodies on the line.
“You work all pre-season and I just got injured leading up to round one and I was gutted. I was heartbroken. It was going to be a big season.
“That was my first [injury]. And it had to be a serious one. [But] it’s part of the game, part of the journey of sports. I took a lot of learnings from it,” he told the Herald on Sunday.
It has been quite a turnaround. From being way down the pecking order, Afoa has been one of the Warriors’ forward standouts this year.
The 24-year-old is expected to be offered a new contract soon and will
be a key component of any revival over the next few months.
In the absence of Addin FonuaBlake, Afoa’s ability to generate momentum with his fearless charges is crucial and there are few better in the team at gaining post-contact metres.
“I’ve got lots of room to improve,” said Afoa. “I had a whole year off and [I’m] slowly getting back into the new rules and adjusting to the speed of the game.
“[There is] great competition among middle [forwards] here and I just had to put my hand up and my head down and work hard. The body is feeling great and the mind is feeling great too. I just want to play some consistent footy.”
St George are daunting opponents this afternoon. Unfancied by most pundits, the Dragons are humming under new coach Anthony Griffin.
“They’ve started strong,” said Afoa. “They’ve got a big forward pack and they are really mobile, too. And their bench will come on strong for them. [But] I don’t get fazed by that, I just do what I need to do on game day.”