Cronulla Sharks recruit Jesse Ramien on ‘being home’, his Knights fallout and Nathan Brown
In his first interview following the bitter fallout from his Newcastle Knights exit, Cronulla recruit Jesse Ramien has vowed to make up for lost time after the most trying year of his career.
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Rising Cronulla star Jesse Ramien has vowed to make up for lost time, admitting he will spend the entire 2020 pre-season driven by the most tumultuous 12-months of his career.
In his first interview following his fallout from Newcastle in August, Ramien has spoken of the meeting with former coach Nathan Brown that led to his shock exit while declaring he is determined to prove the Knights loss will be the Sharks gain after penning a four-year contract with the club he describes as "home."
"It was a pretty tough 12-months for me and coming off a pretty good year (in 2018) into a not so good year (2019), I'm coming back home now and I'm not here for a holiday,'' Ramien said.
"I've signed a long-term deal to a club I love and I've definitely got a point to prove.''
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OUT OF PLACE
One of Newcastle's major signings for 2019, the NSW under-20s and Junior Kangaroos centre failed to display anything near the form that earned him Dally M rookie of the year contention in 2018.
A doting father to six-year-old LaSharn, Ramien had originally left Cronulla – where he had begun in the under-20s – because he wanted to be closer to his daughter, who lives with her mother on the Central Coast.
But as much Ramien tried to fit into the Knights system – he just never felt comfortable due to revolving halves combinations. And it showed in his football.
"The style that we played I didn't get the chance to show them my best,'' Ramien said.
"I was trying to do that – but some clubs just like different things and have different styles of play.
"Obviously the Knights are a great side, but we just didn't click.
"When I was at Cronulla, I loved playing alongside Chad (Townsend) and at the Knights we had a fair bit of mixing around in the halves and then we had a fair bit going on with injuries and a fair few people coming in and out which makes it tough to build a combination.''
BROWNED-OFF
Ramien's discontent led to a meeting with Brown in late July and ultimately his release with one year remaining on his contract.
"Obviously Brownie and I did have a chat and Brownie loved the Knights and was a passionate coach,'' Ramien said.
"He pretty much told me, 'Mate, if you want to play for us, we'd love to have you. But if you don't, you're free to look around.'
"At the time, I just didn't feel like it was the right club for me.
"So I thought it was time for me to move on.''
Asked if he held any animosity towards Brown, Ramien said; "I'd shake Brownie's hand and say hello. I wish him luck and I hope he finds another club, there's no hard feelings.
"It happens in the game and it's something you have to deal with and move on.''
The mature 22-year-old said he had no issues with Knights fans being critical of his empty departure.
"Fans and members pay their money and are entitled to their opinion and that's 100 per cent alright if they feel that way,'' Ramien said.
HOW TOUGH
Ramien refuses to view his decision to leave the Sharks – where he scored 10 tries in 20 appearances in 2018 compared to two tries in 17 games at the Knights in 2019 – and subsequent return to Cronulla, as a wasted year of his career.
"I don't see anything as a waste. I see it as a life lesson,'' Ramien said.
"You live and learn. I know it didn't work out – but at the same time, I could've gone to the Knights and had a great year and loved it.
"But you don’t know these things until you try.
"And in our game, that happens. Players have off years, or go through a tough period and that happened to me last year.
"It's only made me wiser and stronger.
"I've learned a lot from what has happened over the past 12-months and I think that will only make me grow as a person and as a player.
"I look at as a growth period.
"I'm fortunate enough to return to Cronulla and I can't wait to start training.''
JESSE'S GIRL
In a moment of deep reflection, Ramien said his return to the Sharks would deliver a two-pronged effect on his life.
"I loved everyone that was at the club (Cronulla), but the main reason for leaving was my little girl,'' Ramien said.
"But this time around, I've got to do what is best for myself and by doing that, that will help her out a lot more too in the long run.
"By me being my best, at a club I know and love, that will allow me to provide for her.''
BOMB SQUAD
You can't miss Ramien's smile ahead of his first day back at training with the Sharks on Wednesday.
He says his relationship with head coach John Morris was a major factor in his return and couldn't wait to play with rising star Bronson Xerri.
"When I came over from Manly (where he played under-18s), Bomber (Morris) was actually the one who brought me here,'' Ramien said.
"He was the Sharks 20s coach at the time and he wanted me to come over.
"I get along great with Bomber and it was a positive that he was the head coach now who wanted to get me back here.
"I love the way he does things, having played with him before.
"We've got plenty of competition in the backs and all the good club's have healthy competition to keep you on your toes.
"But I'm really excited to play with Bronson – he's come out of nowhere and lit it up.''