NRL 2022: Nick Cotric on Bulldogs exit, how he almost joined Wests Tigers and his return to the Raiders
Nick Cotric has revealed how he lost a bit of fun for the game during a tough season at the Bulldogs and why he can play his best football back at the Raiders in 2022.
NRL
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Nick Cotric always felt he would return to the Raiders. He just did not think it would happen only 12 months after leaving Canberra.
Cotric has broken his silence on being a salary cap casualty at the Bulldogs, his up and down season at Canterbury and why he rejected Wests Tigers to link up with Canberra.
The 23-year-old made headlines when he opted to quit Canberra to sign a rich three-year deal to join Canterbury last year.
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But that lasted just 14 games after shoulder and toe injuries cut short his season. As change swept through Canterbury at the end of last year, it became clear the NSW and Australian winger would be squeezed out of the club.
“It was a tough year,” Cotric said. “Footy is such a rollercoaster and we weren’t getting the results we wanted. It was a disappointing year but these things happen. You lose a bit of fun.
“You live and you learn. This year will be a lot different.
“Mentally going through what I did last year has made me a lot stronger. Sitting at home watching footy, I also observed the game in different ways.”
Despite this Cotric said he has no regrets about his sojourn away from the Raiders. He has fully recovered from his injuries and is unrestricted at training.
The return to Canberra wasn’t as clear cut as he thought. He was impressed by the Tigers after meeting Tim Sheens and Michael Maguire and almost opted to remain in Sydney.
Cotric also had to chat with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to ensure there was no lingering ill-will about his departure from the club.
“It was a tough decision because I have a few good mates at the Tigers,” Cotric said. “But I knew this is where I could play my best footy. Ricky told me that this is my home.
“It’s been the best decision. I have tingles already thinking about playing again. It’s a bit surreal. In my gut I always thought I would be back here one day. It came earlier than I thought.”
Bailey Simonsson’s departure to Parramatta paved the way for Cotric to make his return.
Raiders boss Don Furner said it was an easy decision to bring Cotric back to the club, especially with the support of the senior players.
“When he left he was one of the few players who went around to all the office staff to say goodbye,” Furner. “I remember that stuff.
“Some players leave the club and you think you will never get back but you never thought that with him. Honestly, I walk down to where the players are and I pass Nick and I forget he wasn’t here. It doesn’t look anything different. It’s almost like a player being out with injury.”
The return of a high-profile player after an unsuccessful stint away is also a shot in the arm for Canberra. Cotric, who played 93 games for Canberra, left the Raiders to cement himself as a first choice centre. He said he has no qualms about returning to Canberra’s flank if needed.
“I’m happy I’m back home with the boys and my family and friends,” Cotric said. “I live next to training now so there’s no traffic. I’m not too fussed where I play. I’ll play anywhere.
“I can’t wait to put that jumper back on.”
HOW SMITH REJOINED THE PANTHERS
Had it not been for border closures Chris Smith may well be a Brisbane Bronco by now. Smith had agreed to take up a train and trial contract with Brisbane having not been offered a new contract at Canterbury in a last ditch to save his career.
But just a week before he was finally cleared to leave Sydney his phone rang. It was Penrith coach Ivan Cleary.
“I had a missed call one morning from a number I didn’t have saved,” Smith said. “I didn’t call it back. Then I got a text message and it was Ivan who told me to call him. He ran me through the opportunity and it took me about one sleep and I said I would love to come back.
“My only real option was in Brisbane but I was stuck in Sydney and couldn’t get there. I was waiting and hoping for an opportunity but nothing was coming up.
“The Penrith offer was a top 30 contract. It’s a nice feeling when you see a message from the premiership winning coach.”
Smith inked a one year deal to re-join the Panthers in November having been resigned to the prospect of playing in the Queensland Cup if a Brisbane contract did not eventuate. He made his NRL for Penrith in 2015 alongside current Penrith players Api Koroisau and Isaah Yeo under Cleary’.
It was Smith’s only top grade game for Penrith before stints with the Roosters and Canterbury.
“It’s been a bit surreal to be honest,” Smith, 28, said. “Usually you leave a club and you don’t expect to go back.
“The club has changed tremendously. The professionalism and the way the level they train at is why Penrith has been so successful.
“I’m still learning their systems and getting my body in shape to play.
“Coming from a club (which struggled) you can see the energy at Penrith and there is a really good aura around.
“Everyone is up and it lifts you up with good energy.”
Smith is not the only Panther returning home. Former Bulldogs teammate Christian Crichton joins brother Stephen at Penrith while Sean O’Sullivan, who played his junior football at the Panthers, signed from the Warriors.
The trio are the only additions to the Panthers who lost Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Brent Naden (Bulldogs), Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Paul Momirovski (Roosters) and Tyrone May (Catalans) in the off-season.
RETURN TO SENDER
Players who spent a year away before returning to their former NRL club.
ANTHONY MUNDINE
Won a competition with the Broncos in 1997 after a high-profile exit out of St George, where he had played in the 1996 grand final. Returned in 1998 on one of the richest deals in the game, played in another grand final in 1999 before leaving St George Illawarra in 2000.
RYAN HOFFMAN
Played 170 games for the Storm before he took up a 12-month gap year at Wigan. His return in 2012 resulted in a premiership. Hoffman exited the Storm again for three seasons – this time joining the New Zealand Warriors before playing out his final season in Melbourne in 2018.
DANE SORENSEN
One of Cronulla’s best players, he left the club for an ill-fated stint at the Roosters in 1984. The Kiwi international played just 13 games at Eastern Suburbs before returning to the Sharks, where he played another five seasons.
MARK GASNIER
Left the Dragons at the end of the 2008 season to play French rugby. Played two seasons with Stade Francais before returning to the Dragons midway through 2010. Part of the Dragons’ premiership-winning team before retiring at the end of the next season.
SAM WILLIAMS
It is easy to forget Williams’s decade-long stint at Canberra has been interrupted by stints elsewhere. After making his debut for the Raiders in 2011, he played four games for St George Illawarra and 12 for Catalans in 2014. He returned to Canberra in 2015 for two seasons before playing out the 2017 season with Wakefield. Williams has been part of Canberra’s top squad since 2018 and has featured in 103 matches.
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