Caleb Hamlin-Uele: Glebe Dirty Reds re-sign forward for Ron Massey Cup 2022

Inspired by the achievements of his older brother, Caleb Hamlin-Uele has crossed the ditch with ambitions of making his own name in rugby league.

In the middle of a stinking Aussie summer, New Zealand native Caleb Hamlin-Uele jumped on a jumbo with his partner and crossed the ditch to pursue his rugby league dream.

The leap of faith by the big-bodied front row forward was inspired by the words of his older brother and Cronulla Sharks fan favourite Braden Hamlin-Uele: “you have got nothing to lose”.

Caleb Hamlin-Uele.

Older brother Braden. Picture: Mark Kolbe

Caleb moved into his older brother’s apartment and signed on with the Glebe Dirty Reds, becoming an instant force during this season’s abandoned Ron Massey Cup campaign a.

The 22-year-old said it was an easy decision to return for the 2022 season, praising the “tight brotherhood” which made him feel right at home.

“We had a great chance of winning it this year but Covid took us out so I am really looking forward to having a crack next year with the same team,” he said.

Hamlin-Uele said living with his older brother has done wonders, with Braden now sharing his wisdom on attitude, diet and mindset.

The Dirty Red is aiming to earn a spot with the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup in 2022, who act as a feeder team to the Cronulla Sharks, with the hope of a train and trial opportunity with an NRL club down the line.

Hamlin-Uele had an instant impact with the Dirty Reds this year.

Glebe Dirty Reds president Darren Flynn said Hamlin-Uele was one of the squad’s best this season and had “a big future”.

“He will benefit from a big pre-season moving into 2022 and we are very confident he can rise to higher honours in the game,” he said.

The Dirty Reds have recently re-signed captain Jackson Garlick, Greg Eastwood, playmaker Manaia Rudolph, Michael Pearsall, Riley Travers and Ethan Natoli.