St George Dragons recruit Daniel Alvaro a changed man ahead of NRL season

This Dragons player will likely play a milestone 100th match early in the 2021 season with a new jersey on his back and a very special fan watching on.

New Dragons recruit Daniel Alvaro is closer to home now he’s at the club.

He’s a new dad with a new team and NRL gun Daniel Alvaro can’t wait to see what else 2021 will throw at him.

Alvaro, who grew up in Raymart, just five minutes from the Mittagong Lions home ground, now resides in Bowral with his wife and baby daughter Lily, just eight weeks old, as he prepares for a 2021 season with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

“It’s been really, really good. It’s been unreal,” he said of becoming a father.

“It has changed me. It’s all about her now. Everything you do is for her.

“I will want to make her proud, be a good example.”

Daniel Alvaro during his time at Parramatta, playing in the 2019 elimination final between the Eels and the Brisbane Broncos.

While he hails from a town better known for cricket than rugby league, Álvaro said he always grew up wanting to be a rugby league player.

“I played with the Mittagong Lions juniors and I dreamt of being in the NRL then. Heaps of us dreamt of it,” he said.

And that dream became a reality when Alvaro attracted the attention of a scout who saw him playing representative football as a teenager.

“I did junior reps and the Broncos picked me up when I was 15 and I did my junior development with them,” Alvaro said.

New Dragons recruit Daniel Alvaro hails from the Southern Highlands.

“I used to go up every Friday and come back every Sunday during my last two years of high school.’’

His career has since taken him to the Parramatta Eels, where he made his NRL debut in 2015, to the New Zealand Warriors last season and now to the Dragons on a two-year contract and under Anthony Griffin who oversaw his under 20s development at the Broncos.

“I had six weeks with the Warriors on loan. It was really good. I loved it,’’ he said.

“I wasn’t getting any time (at Parramatta) and with COVID there was no reserve grade, so I couldn’t get an opportunity.

“When the Warriors came along I jumped at the chance. It was good. A new experience and environment. Good to play some footy.’’

Alvaro, who has almost finished a Bachelor of Construction and Project Management, said he was excited to have signed with the Dragons for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, with a big bonus the proximity of the club to his home.

“Last year I was driving from Bowral to Penrith and back so this is great,’’ he said.

“I’m enjoying it so far. I want to be a player others want to play with.

“I want to be known as tough, consistent and a hard worker.’’

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