The Colonel
Immortal
- Messages
- 41,810
Junior waits in the wings Brad Earl
08May07
WHEN you've been named 18th man as you await your NRL debut, it's a case of so near but yet so far.
That's the case for Junior Paulo, who was the Parramatta Eels' 18th man against the Sydney Roosters last weekend.
But there were no team changes and the 23-year-old prop has to keep waiting something he is used to.
``This is the fourth time I've been on standby or 18th or 19th man,'' Paulo said.
``It's got to come soon hopefully.''
He made the Australian Schoolboys while in Year 11 at Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown, in 2000.
His brother, Joseph, was also an Australian Schoolboy from Patrician Brothers Blacktown last year.
Paulo shares his first name of Aukuso with his Samoan father.
``When I was growing up, saying my first name was always a bit awkward for people, so I'd just say Junior,'' he said.
His mother was from the tiny island nation of Niue and he was born in New Zealand.
Paulo, a Penrith junior from St Clair, rose to Jersey Flegg with the Panthers before joining Cronulla full-time in 2003.
After a stint in the Queensland Cup, he became a member of the Eels' part-time Premier League squad in 2005.
``The first year I wasn't really getting a run and then I worked my way back last year to play good footy, and then I got my opportunity to be full-time this year,'' Paulo said.
He says being older now, he is wiser.
``Not many players get a second chance but I was lucky,'' he said.
``I blew it when I was young.''
He says part of the problem during his time with the Sharks was that he moved out of home to be closer to training.
``Getting caught up in the going-out scene, drinking too much, just everything,'' Paulo said.
``All your mates ring you up and they're going out because they don't have commitments like you do as a football player but I was tending just to go out anyway, just still being young and taking opportunities for granted.''
To use a cliche, he's now making up for lost time.
``I think I am,'' he said.
``I don't have any regrets in life. I've learnt from my mistakes and I'm a much better person for it.
``Just don't look back. It's only forward now.''
http://www.parramattaadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/05/08/733_sports.html
08May07
WHEN you've been named 18th man as you await your NRL debut, it's a case of so near but yet so far.
That's the case for Junior Paulo, who was the Parramatta Eels' 18th man against the Sydney Roosters last weekend.
But there were no team changes and the 23-year-old prop has to keep waiting something he is used to.
``This is the fourth time I've been on standby or 18th or 19th man,'' Paulo said.
``It's got to come soon hopefully.''
He made the Australian Schoolboys while in Year 11 at Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown, in 2000.
His brother, Joseph, was also an Australian Schoolboy from Patrician Brothers Blacktown last year.
Paulo shares his first name of Aukuso with his Samoan father.
``When I was growing up, saying my first name was always a bit awkward for people, so I'd just say Junior,'' he said.
His mother was from the tiny island nation of Niue and he was born in New Zealand.
Paulo, a Penrith junior from St Clair, rose to Jersey Flegg with the Panthers before joining Cronulla full-time in 2003.
After a stint in the Queensland Cup, he became a member of the Eels' part-time Premier League squad in 2005.
``The first year I wasn't really getting a run and then I worked my way back last year to play good footy, and then I got my opportunity to be full-time this year,'' Paulo said.
He says being older now, he is wiser.
``Not many players get a second chance but I was lucky,'' he said.
``I blew it when I was young.''
He says part of the problem during his time with the Sharks was that he moved out of home to be closer to training.
``Getting caught up in the going-out scene, drinking too much, just everything,'' Paulo said.
``All your mates ring you up and they're going out because they don't have commitments like you do as a football player but I was tending just to go out anyway, just still being young and taking opportunities for granted.''
To use a cliche, he's now making up for lost time.
``I think I am,'' he said.
``I don't have any regrets in life. I've learnt from my mistakes and I'm a much better person for it.
``Just don't look back. It's only forward now.''
http://www.parramattaadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/05/08/733_sports.html
