Flyer’s home to find his best form - and a springboard to the NRL

Former NRL-contracted player Bernard Lewis is hoping a return to home soil can help him rediscover his best form and launch a return bid to the nation’s top competition.

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Former NRL-contracted player Bernard Lewis is hoping a return to home soil can help him rediscover his best form and launch a return bid to the nation’s top competition.

The 22-year-old has signed a one-year deal with hometown club the Northern Pride for the 2020 season after missing out on a contract extension with the Sydney Roosters.

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While the lightning quick outside back has been living in Sydney for the past six years, after one week back in the Far North, Lewis said it felt like he’d never left.

“I’m loving it so far,” he said.

“Especially being back with the boys again.

“It’s been comfortable, just getting straight back into it, and I’m so keen for the next season.

“I haven’t played back here in four or five years. It’s going to be good to play that first game back home in front of all the family.”

Northern Pride signing Bernard Lewis. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

The Cairns Kangaroos junior said returning to the Pride had been a reunion of sorts.

“Gideon (Gela-Mosby), Quinlyn (Cannon), Evan (Child), Patty (Patrick Gallen) – I grew up versing them or playing with them,” he said.

He said he wanted to bring what he had learnt as part of the Roosters’ NRL system to the Pride.

“They (Roosters) are an effort club, a percentage club,” he said.

“They look at everything and really love everything they do. It stepped me up big time to be a better player.”

While he has spent the majority of his senior rugby league career on the wing, Lewis said he would be willing to take on another position if required – within reason.

“Wherever Ty asks me to play, I’ll play,” he said. “Just hopefully not in the forwards.”

Lewis’ journey with the NRL’s reigning premiers dates back to 2012, when he was first signed by the tri-colours on a development contract.

At the time, a 14-year-old Lewis, also a state-level sprinter, was playing for the Northern Pride under-16s in the Cyril Connell Cup.

The youngster attracted the Roosters’ attention with a starring performance for Queensland at the national secondary schools rugby league championships that year, which saw him earn selection in the Australian under-15s merit team.

In 2013, Lewis moved to Sydney at the age of 15 in pursuit of his NRL dream.

He played SG Ball (under-18s) with the Roosters in 2014, winning the premiership alongside future NRL talents Joseph Manu and Latrell Mitchell, and 2015.

In 2016, Lewis won the NRL National Youth Competition (under-20s) with the Roosters, before playing a leading role in the club’s Auckland Nines triumph the following year.

The versatile flyer was hopeful of nabbing an NRL debut in 2018, before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for the season.

Lewis has enjoyed a successful return to footy in 2019, scoring 10 tries in 18 games for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Canterbury Cup and making his international debut for Papua New Guinea.

Originally published as Flyer’s home to find his best form - and a springboard to the NRL