FNQ DUO AMONG RISING LEAGUE STARS
it be financial sacrifice, a warm hug after a devastating loss or countless hours transporting their precious cargo, mothers play a massive role in rugby league.
Just ask booming Townsville teenager Abai Chatfield Mooka.
The 17-year-old has credited his blossoming career to the unwavering support of his mother, Leesa Chatfield.
“My biggest influence has been my mum. She made my brothers and my cousins all play local league in Cairns,” Abai said.
“She’s done everything for me to put me here and get me where I am today.
“She’s sacrificed not just for me but for my other brother as well. She used to work but then we had another brother and she has to look after him now.
“She does whatever she can for us. She’s always on my mind.”
Leesa’s work has led Abai all the way to the Emerging Maroons squad and a real chance of representing Queensland in the under-18 State of Origin this year.
Abai said it felt good to repay his mother’s faith.
“I’m happy and she’s happy for me,” he said.
“She’s proud of me for being down there and getting the opportunity to play.”
Having tested the waters of junior rugby league in Cairns, Abai said he came into his own when he moved to Townsville.
“The first year I wasn’t so sure about footy when I came to Townsville.
“But I met my coach for Centrals, Troy Buchanan – he was a good bloke.
“I got picked in a lot of rep sides because of him. He made me who I am today.”
The Centrals ASA prodigy said the guidance of Buchanan allowed him to view the sport in a different way.
Abai said Buchanan was the person who opened his eyes to how good he could become.
“He was the one that taught me footy. I hadn’t played much when I came here and he showed me the sport,” Abai said. “He didn’t want to make footy too serious, he wanted us to enjoy it and he wanted us to enjoy it for our whole lives.
“He would be proud for me to be picked in the Queensland squad. He was always fighting for me to play in rep sides.”
Although Abai isn’t the biggest individual on the field in any given game, the Kirwan State High student plays in the front row and mixes it with players who have a significant size advantage.
His game is typified by toughness, tenacity and heart.
“I love getting the team going. Whether that be the first run or first tackle, I like being in the middle.
“I just love being involved early and making an impact.”
Surprisingly, for a player potentially on the path to an NRL system, Abai doesn’t watch much rugby league.
He said he steered clear of spectating because he gets itchy feet.
“Even when I’m playing, I don’t want to come to the bench. I don’t want to be sitting on the side watching.
“If I go off, I’ll take a break, but as soon as I get my breath back, I want to go back on. But if I’m not allowed, I’ll wait and do what the coach says.”
If his rugby league aspirations don’t come to fruition, Abai said he had plans in place to ensure he had a safety net.
“I’ll hopefully get an apprenticeship this year to become a boilermaker,” he said.
“I have some family that do different trades and boilermaking is something different and I enjoy it. It’s not hard and it’s not easy, but it’s fun.”