Chance Li let pass by
One-game player rues decision to leave the Coast and not return
IT was a sliding doors moment and one that Leva Li looks back on with more than a touch of regret.
With his two-year Titans contract at an end, the 190cm, 101kg outside back reached a crossroads in late 2016: return to Sydney or remain on the Gold Coast to try to reignite his one-game NRL career via the Burleigh Bears.
“(Then-Titans coach) Neil Henry asked me to hang around and see what happens, and Burleigh offered for me to play for their (Intrust Super) Cup team,” Li, 24, said.
“I came back to Sydney just for a holiday and hadn’t made my mind up but I got comfortable with my family and never went back (to the Coast). I look back and think I should’ve just stayed at Burleigh.
“It’s just something I look back on as a major learning curve.”
A former NYC player with the Wests Tigers and Parramatta, Li’s first experience on the Coast came during the Tweed Seagulls’ 2015 preseason, before the Titans came calling with a train-andtrial offer.
While he impressed enough to secure a deal for the next two seasons, he was forced to bide his time with the Seagulls’ ISC side until his sole NRL call-up arrived against the Bulldogs in Round 23 of 2015.
While his trip to Central Coast Stadium ended with a 36-14 defeat, it was an experience he will not forget.
“I remember the whole week. I remember watching the under-20s boys before our game and thinking ‘that was me last year’,” he said.
“During the warm-up we were getting booed because we were the away team but I didn’t care, I took it all in. I was just overwhelmed.
“I got presented my jersey by (former Titan) Greg Bird and I was real emotional about it. I was grateful for the opportunity that was given to me.
“I didn’t get involved until about eight minutes into the game but once I got in I was safe, I did my job. I was happy with my performance.
“I’m happy I played one game but I thought I could’ve played a few more games (in 2015).
“I didn’t have the best preseason second time around (in 2016) with injuries and things, so that didn’t help my cause. I just played cup (for Tweed) that year.”
After returning to Sydney, Li crashed back to earth in 2017, spending the season with Mounties in the lowergrade Sydney Shield.
He began the long climb back to the top by stepping up to Blacktown’s Ron Massey Cup side last year, and has now become a fixture of the Workers’ second-tier NSW Cup outfit in 2019.
“I’m a realist but I’m young, healthy and I think I can get back up there (into the NRL). It’s just a matter of finding the right place and the right team and hopefully when it comes I can grab it with both hands.
“I met a lot of great people (at the Titans), a lot of great coaches and trainers. They pushed me to get where I did. I never thought I’d play NRL.”
I MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE (AT THE TITANS) ... I NEVER THOUGHT I’D PLAY NRL