New Tigers centre Paul Momirovski’s NRL career almost ended before it began

Before he become one of the unlikely heroes in the Roosters’ premiership charge, newly signed Tigers centre Paul Momirovski nearly gave rugby league away.

Former Sydney Rooster Paul Momirovski training for his new club Wests Tigers. Picture: Dan Talintyre.

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Paul Momirovski had played just a single NRL game when he was thrust into the cauldron of a grand final qualifier.

But for a man who had already overcome two potentially career-ending shoulder injuries before he had turned 20, Momirovski wasn’t going to let the enormity of the task rattle him.

In a huge show of faith, Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson named Momirovski to replace suspended superstar Latrell Mitchell in last season’s preliminary final against South Sydney.

Despite his lack of experience, the 22-year-old Belmore-raised back seized the moment and scored the match-sealing try in a 12-4 win that helped the Roosters on their way to premiership glory.

Momirovski played his second NRL match in a preliminary final. Picture by Brett Costello.

“I guess the fear of never playing again after back-to-back shoulder reconstructions will do that,” Momirovski, now at the Wests Tigers, told The Daily Telegraph.

“It happened in the under 20s at the Roosters in 2015 and 2016 — it was a tough couple of years.

“You’d climb one mountain but then you’d fall down and have to climb it again.

“I’m not going to lie and say thoughts didn’t come into my head, because you just don’t know how you are going to come back from two surgeries like that.”

While Momirovski heard the dark voices, he didn’t listen to them. Instead, he worked hard, remained patient and in round 18 last season made his NRL debut, scoring a try in a 20-12 win over the Titans on the Gold Coast.

Momirovski said the injury setbacks gave him valuable perspective and appreciation when the Roosters selected him to play in the grand final qualifier against the Rabbitohs on limited notice.

“Because my career could have been over,” he said.

It was a stunning rise for the rookie centre. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

“But instead I used my shoulder surgeries to grow and better myself.

“That is when I started my business course at university and started to think about life beyond footy.

“It is like a big bubble and you think you can play forever until something like that happens and it hits you.

“Even my debut came on the back of a few injuries, so I was just happy to play.”

Momirovski also credits the hardworking influence of his parents — Svetlana and Rubin — for helping him rise above the obstacles.

Born in Australia but raised in Macedonia in southeast Europe before returning Down Under, his mother and father have toiled tirelessly to set up a contented life for their family.

“They’ve helped me massively, purely through their work ethics,” Momirovski said.

“They’ve taught me what it takes to show up every day and get the job the done.

“Mum and dad are really hard workers and they’ve given me everything.

Momirovski has linked up with the Tigers for 2019. Picture by Dan Talintyre.

“Since I was young, they’d work long hours. Dad worked two jobs for god knows how long.

“He has quit one of those jobs but he still works the same hours.

“I’d often stay with my grandparents while mum and dad worked.”

Momirovski’s hard work has earned him a two-year deal with the Wests Tigers. The 22-year-old could have stayed at the Roosters but wanted the challenge.

“For me I thought it was time I stepped out of that zone,” he said.

“I’d been at the Roosters for five years, so I wanted to learn something different and try a different challenge.

“I also wanted to get in a new environment to see if that could help me with my career.

“I like the Tigers’ roster and the experience and felt like I could learn from the older guys and the coach.

“It won’t be easy to play first grade but I guess I’ve learnt to stay ready because you never know when your opportunity will come.”

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Originally published as New Tigers centre Paul Momirovski’s NRL career almost ended before it began