Parramatta young gun Tepai Moeroa has revealed his ambition to compete in track and field at the Rio Olympics while juggling his football commitments.
Moeroa is one of the most exciting prospects in the NRL after making nine first-grade appearances at the back end of the season.
The Eels quickly re-signed him to a new three-year contract to thwart poachers, including Super rugby franchises Waratahs and the Chiefs.
However, the 18-year-old is equally skilled throwing a shot put and discus. He set several age records during his time as a boarder at Newington College.
In his first interview, Moeroa outlined his plans to participate in the 2016 Games, most probably in his preferred discipline of shot put.
"We'll see what happens, when everything settles down, next year we'll start looking at the Olympics," he said. "I've been concentrating on league but still do [track and field] training. If you put your mind to it, you can go far."
Moeroa was born in the Cook Islands, spent his early years in New Zealand and came to Australia at the age of five. However, he will play for the Kangaroos if given the opportunity at representative level.
"I could go New Zealand but I always wanted to play Origin," he said.
The Australian Schoolboys rugby star has vowed to use a chunk of his Eels contract money to buy a house for his parents to repay them for the sacrifices they have made.
"[Mum] had to sacrifice a lot. It wasn't easy [financially], we had to struggle and stuff to get to where we are today," he said.
"That's what the house is for, it's the beginning."
POTTER OPENS UP
Mick Potter is one of the most decent men I've met in rugby league. When I sat down with him on Friday, he could have unloaded on Wests Tigers, but that is not his style.
However, he did provide an insight into the challenges he faced from within during his two-year term as head coach.
"It's been one of the most challenging things to have to deal with and there are obvious reasons for that," he said.
"I just don't think the club was united, whether it was upstairs or downstairs. There was always people working not for the team, not solely to keep winning.
"There was always an ulterior motive for some people. Although they wanted the best for the club, ultimately there was selfishness there. I don't think you can have that in any organisation."
Normally the fans are the first to turn on the coach. The players, the board and others usually follow. Not this time.
Fans vented their fury when, on the day of the Dragons clash, it emerged there were moves to sack him. While they couldn't save him in the end, Potter is grateful for the support provided by them and Gorden Tallis.
"I did speak to Gordie and he just said 'if someone questions my integrity, I won't back down," Potter said.
"That brought a smile to my face because he's one of the most honest people I've ever met and one of the most loyal people. If there are more Gordies around, we'd have a better world."
How does Potter reflect on his relationship with Robbie Farah?
"Robbie is passionate about his club, he just wants to win," he said.
"Sometimes he gets a bit emotional and probably says things that in the big picture probably has a point but isn't meant in certain ways. In the heat of battle, Robbie gets upset and says the things at times but no one can doubt his passion for the club or his determination or effort.
"As far as my relationship with Robbie, we had a reasonable working relationship. He's certainly a strong personality, he's a guy that is good for the club but has some issues. I could have handled that a little bit better."
Asked if Farah was trying to get him sacked, Potter said: "I don't know for sure." Pressed on whether he suspected that was the case, the two-time Dally M Medal winner said: "I haven't got any evidence to say that. I'll leave it at that."
SLATER'S LOSS, INGLIS' GAIN?
Joyce Churchill reckons nobody reminds her more of "The Little Master", her late, great husband Clive, than Melbourne fullback Billy Slater.
But with Melbourne knocked out of the finals, there's no chance she will be presenting the Clive Churchill Medal to him on grand final day. So who does she predict will be the recipient?
"Being a South Sydney supporter, I would like to present it to one of the Souths players," she said.
"I'd have to go for the fullback, wouldn't I? Greg Inglis."
MOIMOI BOUND FOR ENGLAND
Fuifui Moimoi knocked back opportunities to continue his NRL career at Manly and Penrith because he didn't want to play against his beloved Eels. However, the veteran prop won't be lost to rugby league altogether, as he is close to finalising a deal to continue his career in the Super League.
While most expected Moimoi to hang up his boots after Parramatta failed to offer him a new contract, the former New Zealand international will play on in England.
"I'll probably go for one more year or two overseas, see how my body feels," Moimoi said.
"I still wanted to play another year but I didn't want to go somewhere else [in Australia]. Obviously I've been here for a long time and didn't want to finish my career [at another NRL club], I still want to play.
"Some clubs [expressed interest], Manly and Penrith. That was there but I love the club and didn't [want to play against Parramatta]."
While Parramatta's 2009 grand final is a highlight, Moimoi's most memorable moments came as part of the 2007 Kiwis squad.
All the departing Eels players – including Ben Smith, Willie Tonga and Ken Sio – were honoured at the club's presentation night. But in true "Fui" fashion, he attended the event but could not be found when he was required on stage.
ALMOST A BULLDOG
Canterbury have copped plenty of stick for letting Johnathan Thurston slip through their grasp, but it's not like they tabled him an insulting offer a decade ago.
"In 2004 we won the comp and Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta were in the halves," then-Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said. "He only played about four first grade games before he played in the grand final and I think we offered him $200,000, which was a lot considering his experience.
"I think he wanted to get out of Sydney a bit too, but we just couldn't compete with the Cowboys offer because we had just re-signed the grand final-winning halfback and five-eighth.
"He's probably the one that got away."
