NRL 2020: Bush footy clubs targeting homeless NRL players
Bush footy is becoming a hub for homeless and retired NRL players with country clubs desperate to boost their teams and competitions.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Bush footy is becoming a hub for homeless and retired NRL players, with country clubs desperate to boost their teams and competitions.
Headed by premiership-winning forward Kyle Turner, a host of ex-first-grade and fringe footballers are being targeted by regional clubs this summer.
In past years, the English Super League would be the main destination for league players post their NRL careers.
Watch the 2020 NRL Nines tournament LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
But in a positive sign for the long-term future of bush football, NSW and Queensland country is becoming a legitimate career option.
The likes of Shaun Fensom, Michael Gordon, Tim Grant and Daniel Mortimer have already committed to playing in the bush this season.
Now it appears more players will join them, with a long list of NRL talent still without a club heading into 2020.
Turner is the standout. The Coonabarabran product won a title at South Sydney in 2014 while he represented the Indigenous All-Stars in 2015.
Turner is training in 40-degree heat in Coonabarabran after the Rabbitohs didn’t offer him a deal beyond the 2019 season.
He received interest from a number of clubs, most seriously Newcastle, but he hasn’t been able to finalise a deal.
It’s why Turner is seriously contemplating a career change as a high school teacher while he plays bush footy.
“I’m fairly sure I’m not playing (in the NRL) this year,” Turner said. “I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet.”
The Sunday Telegraph has learned that a host of country clubs, including Coonabarabran and some Canberra-based teams, are keeping a close eye on Turner’s movement.
The ex-Rabbitohs forward isn’t the only NRL player without a contract heading into the 2020 season.
MORE NEWS
SuperCoach NRL Draft rankings 2020: Best players at every position
NRL star Curtis Scott pleads not guilty to police assault charges
The likes of Michael Lichaa, Danny Fualalo, Jai Field, Billy Brittain and Javid Bowen are all on the lookout for a new deal.
Every NRL club is now restricted to owning a top squad of 30 players.
A further six development players are also eligible to play in the top grade in any given season, but only after June 30.
Sadly, players like Turner are being locked out because clubs can’t afford to carry them as back up players, simply because they can’t be used in the top grade.
After the most recent players’ collective bargaining agreement it was decided to look after the top squad and put white-out through the rest.
It was designed to stop clubs stockpiling stars and give greater player security.
Instead it has really created a rod for the NRL’s back, but it could benefit bush footy.
HOMELESS NRL PLAYERS:
Kyle Turner, Josh Hoffman, George Fai, Patrick Mago, Michael Lichaa, Danny Fualalo, John Olive, Nu Brown, Kaiyne-Lee Kalache, Aaron Gray, Jack Stockwell, Hame Sele, Paea Pua, Nick Lui-Toso, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nichols, Lachlan Timm, Billy Brittain, Jacob Gagan, Mawene Hiroti, Bernard Lewis, Lloyd Perrett, Zac Woolford, Javid Bowen and Gideon Gela-Mosby.