Raymond Faitala-Mariner suddenly shapes as the ‘Next Big Thing’ of the Bulldogs pack
MEET Raymond Faitala-Mariner, the ‘Next Big Thing’ at the Bulldogs who currently has nowhere to live or even a car to drive.
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RAYMOND Faitala-Mariner has no house.
No car.
Even had no bank account a few weeks back.
“But, yeah, I’ve sorted one now,’’ he laughs. “Medicare and superannuation, too.
“Although at first I was so confused ... my sisters or girlfriend usually help out with all that.”
While he may be unknown to most NRL fans, Faitala-Mariner is the young backrower who suddenly shapes as the ‘Next Big Thing’ of the Bulldogs pack.
An Auckland Warrior as recently as last month, the 22-year-old now finds himself at Belmore after the being traded for another rising star in backrower Shaun Lane.
Apart from being so new he doesn’t know the Bulldogs team song, Faitala-Mariner is also yet to sort out a car or housing.
It means that as well as having to walk 30 minutes every day to and from Belmore Oval, the young enforcer is also bunking down at a Bulldogs share house for U20s players.
“So I’m the oldest one there,’’ he grins. “But just for now.”
Indeed, while his transition into the Bulldogs pack has been a success, Faitala-Mariner admits adapting off the field has been the real challenge.
Not only has the devout Christian left a large family behind in New Zealand, but also his girlfriend Stella.
But as for moving her over to Sydney any time soon?
“Ah, I’m fairly religious, so you have to be married first before you can live with your missus,’’ he grins.
“But maybe this is pushing the button, maybe I’ll have to pop the question ... (laughs) although mum might kill me.”
Asked about the surprise trade, which gave him just three days to completely change his life, Faitala-Mariner continued: “The first few days were hard. Real hard.
“I miss home. Miss my family.
“It’s been hard on my parents, too.
“But before leaving I had quite a few talks with my them. They just told me to be strong and remember my purpose for coming here, which is to give the Bulldogs my best.”
Dubbed ‘The Hammer’ because of his ferocious playing style, Faitala-Mariner revealed coach Des Hasler had first wanted to sign him in March, 2015.
“At the time I was still playing NSW Cup,’’ he recalls. “I couldn’t believe there was an NRL coach who was interested in a reserve grader.
“So I asked for a release — a couple of times — but I didn’t get it.
“I just felt that I wasn’t progressing there.
“I wanted more coaching, more one-on-one coaching. And Des had made me feel like a priority, like he wanted me in his team.”
Still, the youngster thought he would have to wait until his contract was up.
Next year.
But then, well, a new call came.
The player swap was on.
And so, with nothing but his boots and a bag of clothes, Faitala-Mariner left for Australia.
No house.
No car.
Just a chance.
Originally published as Raymond Faitala-Mariner suddenly shapes as the ‘Next Big Thing’ of the Bulldogs pack
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