A Stormy Knight
By Matt Logue
Daniel Abraham is still dreaming. He hasn't given up on a gig in the NRL. Deep down he knows he has something to offer, he just wants the chance to prove it.
At 26, Abraham believes his best years are ahead of him, and he's excited by the prospect of linking up the Central Coast Storm in the next season's State Cup.
As the official feeder club to premiers Melbourne in 2007, the Central Cost outfit offers him a a lifeline to the NRL, and Abraham has vowed to grab it with both hands.
"The way the knights treated me was a kick in the guts, but there's no way I'm giving up on a contract somewhere," Abraham tells RLW.
"I would have loved to stay in Newcastle, but Brian Smith said i wouldn't be playing first grade and that hurt.
"I'm just looking forward to a fresh start because there's no way I'm throwing in the towel just yet."
Abraham says he's already spoken to Storm coach Craig Bellamy about his chances of breaking into the premiers' top side.
He is so desperate to return to the NRL he even knocked back a rich offer with the London Harlequins in the English Super League. The back-rower admits he couldn't leave behind his one-year-old son Lane and that's why he remained in Australia.
Instead he'll be working weekdays for his scaffolding business in Newcastle and traveling to the Central Coast to train and play.
'I quite easily could have gone over to England, but i didn't want to leave my son behind and miss out on seeing him grow up," he says.
"First grade is still a realistic aim and Bellamy told me I'd get my chance when the likes of Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson were playing rep footy.
"Jamie Feeney is coaching the Central Coast side, so hopefully his experience will help me get to the top again."
Abraham is not alone though. There are a handful of Newcastle team-mates in exactly the same position.
No longer wanted by coach Smith, they have little choice but to take their careers to the bush and start afresh.
Former fullback Milton Thaiday will link with Central Charlestown in the Newcastle competition.
Fellow Novocastrian Reegan Tanner is in limbo after failing to receive an offer in Australian or from an English club.
Tanner is currently unemployed and training in the hope he'll pick up a contract, but is expecting to sign in the Newcastle competition or the Queensland Cup.
He's hoping to pick up an offer to support his partner Brooke and their baby daughter, Zaili.
'I'm doing my best but i can't wait around forever and I need to start bringing some money home," Tanner says.
'I'll also have to pick some work to support my family and will probably just end up playing locally."
Meanwhile, former Cowboys winger Neil Sweeney has linked with Macquarie in the Newcastle competition while Knights Premier League fullback Nathan Hinton has joined Western Suburbs.
