This sums up what the last 12 years has cost us but the good news is the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train.
‘We can shake up the comp’: Why Leilua had to come home to the Dragons
March 16, 2024 — 5.00am
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Luciano Leilua returns to St George Illawarra with a sense of optimism, a dose of remorse and without all the white noise after disconnecting from social media.
Leilua will play his first game for the Dragons in five years, after stints at the Tigers and Cowboys, against the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium on Sunday. The appearance is possible after the Red V were successful in halving what was originally a two-match ban, imposed for a low-range drink-driving offence
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The homecoming is an opportunity for the Hurstville United junior to finish his career where it started.
“I wish I stayed there to be a one-club man,” Leilua said. “Everything happens for a reason and I’m grateful to come back. When I left, I needed a change. I had a chance to get some experience at the different clubs I was at, and I’ve got a chance to bring that back to the club.
“I’m excited to get back onto the field. We’re a team that’s on the rise. I think we can really shake up the competition.”
Leilua describes his time in Townsville as “a bit up and down”. There was a three-month NRL suspension for domestic violence charges, which the police ultimately dropped. And then there was the drink-driving incident that was the catalyst for his comeback.
St George Illawarra Dragons forward Luciano Leilua.CREDIT: ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
“We were in talks about me coming back even though I had that drink-driving incident. They still had full confidence in me, I’m really grateful for that,” Leilua said.
“It was a really, really silly mistake. I definitely take full ownership of it. It won’t happen again. I’m really grateful to the Dragons for still allowing me to sign, they really helped me through that. I’m just really grateful.”
Leilua returns to the Dragons on a three-year deal worth about $2.5 million. There has been some social media debate about whether he is worth the money, but the Samoan international is oblivious to it all.
“Honestly, it’s the first I’ve heard about it,” he said. “I’m not on social media any more. It’s definitely a bit of a distraction. I just try to focus on raising my two girls and spend time with my fiancé. I keep a bit of a low profile and just play footy, what makes me happy.
“I try to get off the media and just enjoy life. It’s so rewarding, I don’t even know why I had social media, people just get sucked into it.”
The pitch from new coach Shane Flanagan was instrumental in making the move happen, but so too was the chance to reunite with fellow returning Dragon Hame Sele.
“It was a decision I had to make. I wanted to come home, I wanted to be around family and see my old mates,” he said. “One of my mates, Hame, he convinced me to come back home. We go way back, we grew up with footy.
“I’ve known Hame since primary school. He just said the club has changed since we were [first] there, that it’s a better club now. He said the boys in the squad are looking good and so are the coaches.
“I’ve got big wraps on [former Cowboys staffer, now Dragons assistant] Dean Young, I’ve had him since I was little. I’ve always respected him, he’s always treated me with honesty but still been hard at the same time. That’s what you want out of a coach. Flanno too is a really good guy and smart coach. I’m really excited.”
Leilua won’t have to wait long to face his former team; the Dragons play the Cowboys in round three.
“Hopefully we can get a win this week and go in with a couple of wins against my old club. That should be good,” he said.
“I just want to see all my mates and get one over them. There won’t be much emotion. It will be good to see them
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have a great day!
