NRL 2021: Why journeyman Ava Seumanufagai had Trent Barrett in tears before Bulldogs debut

Trent Barrett had handed out countless first-game jerseys to players, but presenting Ava Seumanufagai with his first Bulldogs jumper pulled at the heartstrings of the coach.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 24: Ava Seumanufagai of the Bulldogs is tackled during the round seven NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on April 24, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Inside the dressing sheds at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, the Canterbury coach stood with tears in his eyes.

Trent Barrett had presented countless first-game jerseys — but this one to journeyman Ava Seumanufagai was different. And the Bulldogs debutant could feel the emotion.

“Before my jersey was presented, I was telling myself ‘don’t get emotional, don’t get emotional’,” Seumanufagai said. “Then I saw Baz (Barrett) was getting emotional and I was like ‘all right, yep’. He got teary.

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“I was thinking ‘don’t start. I don’t need to get emotional before my game’. I was pretty close to getting emotional. Just thinking about it makes me emotional.”

Barrett spoke to his players about Seumanufagai’s journey — the sacrifices he made to re-establish himself as an NRL player and the leadership he had shown before his first game as a Bulldog.

Ava Seumanufagai made his return to the NRL for the Bulldogs against the Sharks. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“He knew I came home with no job,” Seumanufagai said. “He knew the hard work I had to put in to get into shape.”

That path started only in February after the Bulldogs threw the former Tiger and Sharks prop a lifeline.

Seumanufagai left Leeds with a year to go on his contract to move closer to his young daughter. He did so with no guarantees.

“I was unemployed,” the 29-year-old said. “I just backed myself. I had something in me, I knew I could play NRL. I just believed. It’s that simple.”

What followed was a pre-season crammed into five weeks. He strolled into Belmore for his first 5.30am torture session. Four days a week he would be the first through the gates to complete a conditioning session before rejoining the rest of the squad.

Seumanufagai was cagey when quizzed about how much weight he dropped, but he says it was at least five kilograms.

Trent Barrett got emotional when handing Ava Seumanufagai his first Bulldogs jersey. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“It was like cramming for an exam,” Seumanufagai said. “I had to cram a pre-season into four weeks. By the time I got here everyone was training for a few months, I had a bit of catching up to do.

“Playing in the NRL you have to be a bit more in-shape than in the Super League. Diet-wise I had to be consistent. I feel like my body feels fresher not having had to have a full pre-season.”

Having started the season in reserve grade, Seumanufagai found a place in the top grade in the past two weeks. His Bulldogs debut coincided with Canterbury’s 18-12 win against Cronulla, which led to Barrett’s sideline tears.

“You’re in such a male-dominated industry to see someone show such emotion,” Seumanufagai said. “It’s a breath of fresh air.

“I came in with just a dream. To break my way back into first grade.”

He returns to the venue where he fulfilled his dream where the Bulldogs play St George Illawarra at Netstrata Jubilee on Sunday.