Eastwood Rugby’s Joey Afualo has celebrated his side’s Shute Shield victory with a fresh tattoo

THE celebration of Eastwood’s Shute Shield premiership victory over Manly is ongoing, with No.8 Joey Afualo posting an image on Facebook of his commemorative tattoo.

The  celebration of Eastwood’s Shute Shield premiership victory over Manly is ongoing, with No.8 Joey Afualo posting an image on Facebook of his commemorative tattoo.

The new ink adorns the inside of his left bicep and reads “Eastwood MMXV Premiers”, together with the club’s logo.

Afualo, who played Colts with Eastwood and has been with the club for the past four years, said the decision to get the body art was long in the making.

“A few of the boys were speaking about getting it done even before we actually won the game,” he said.

“Not to say we were pre-empting a victory, it was just an idea we had. It only took a little over an hour, which was pretty good.”

Afualo is no stranger to body art, with the premiership tattoo accompanying the Samoan cultural tattoo covering his right arm.

He also admitted he wouldn’t be the only one to get some celebratory ink.

“A couple of the other boys are planning for it in the new year,” he said.

Eastwood’s 15-12 tryless victory was their – and Afualo’s – second Shute Shield premiership in two years and fifth since 1997.

It was also the farewell match for Ben Batger and captain Hugh Perrett.

“We were underdogs, so the win was really good,” Afualo said.

“It was also a bit bittersweet, saying goodbye to the boys. It was nice to send them off as winners.”

Originally published as Eastwood Rugby’s Joey Afualo has celebrated his side’s Shute Shield victory with a fresh tattoo