A cruel end to dream
Injury cut short career but life has never been busier for former prop
DAVID Shillington is busier than ever these days despite the fact he will never fully recover from the injury that ended his NRL career.
There were high hopes on the Gold Coast when the representative veteran signed for the 2016 season.
However, his stint lasted just 11 games before he was forced to retire the following pre-season as a recurring pectoral injury deteriorated to the point where he was unable to complete a single push-up.
“As a front-rower and a senior player, I needed to be accountable,” Shillington reflected.
“I didn’t want to be a liability out there and it was probably best that they moved on without me.
“I’m definitely disappointed I couldn’t contribute as much on the field as I wanted to. It was a bit of a dream come true really to sign with the Titans and come home to Queensland.”
Even now, his pectoral muscle is only at “30 or 40 per cent” and will never fully heal. The injury prevented him from fulfilling his intentions of giving back on the field at grassroots level.
It hasn’t slowed his life down, however.
The 35-year-old grew comfortable with the corporate world after receiving a Queensland Leaders scholarship.
“I was intimidated by the boardroom,” he admitted. “But then regularly through Queensland Leaders I was going into the boardroom with about a dozen people (business leaders from various fields) and we would chat for three or four hours on different topics.”
Shillington now balances marketing work for 360 Degree Media Group, being an NRL ambassador focusing on community programs and making a difference in the mental health sphere, and offering his coaching and mentoring services with upstart company PlayBook.