NRL 2021: School teacher Bradley Deitz lands in his toughest class with Canterbury Bulldogs debut

He was Souths’ reserve grade hooker in 2017, so it should come as no surprise that one player in particular has left a big impression on Bulldogs surprise packet Bradley Deitz.

Canterbury Bulldogs' Jake Averillo: 2020 NRL Round 02 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys, ANZ Stadium, 2020-03-19. Digital image by Grant Trouville � NRL Photos

Three weeks ago, Bradley Deitz was working as a teacher at an all-girls school in Kensington.

On Friday night, the little-known Bulldogs hooker will be aiming to school the Newcastle Knights.

Deitz’s decision to resign from the classroom of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, where he began the year as a PE coordinator and maths teacher, has produced the ultimate lesson in character and persistence.

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Bradley Dietz will make a shock NRL debut on Round 1 this weekend. Picture: Jonathan Ng

On his 26th birthday, the former Sharks, South Sydney and Roosters lower grade player, was chosen on Tuesday by Dogs coach Trent Barrett to make his NRL debut against the Knights.

“There were some times where I thought, I’m getting a little bit older now, but I never lost the love for playing footy,’’ Deitz said.

“I was focusing on my teaching the last four years and doing footy for fun on the side.

“I just tried to make the most of it.”

Deitz was named in jumper number 14 to face the Knights by Barrett, who only met the creative dummy-half at the club‘s final training session before Christmas — an opposed session against feeder-club Mounties.

“I was planning to teach and play for (NSW Canterbury Cup club) Mounties this season,” Deitz said.

Brad Deitz has come from nowhere to land a prominent role at the Bulldogs.

“But after that one session before Christmas, Baz (Barrett) invited me to come back to their opposed training days in January, while I was on school holidays.

“I did a couple of those and then he said we want to keep you around.

“I had to give four weeks notice to the school principal for my resignation — so I continued to teach up until three weeks ago.

“It’s an all-girls school and they love their footy.

“They’re all big Souths and Roosters fans, being from Kensington.

Deitz playing for the North Sydney Bears back in 2016.

“Had this game been in Sydney (and not Newcastle) I would expect some of them to go to the game.

“I reckon they’d be calling out, “Go Mr Deitz, Go Mr Deitz.”

Deitz is everything rugby league should celebrate. The epitome of a player who understands that NRL careers are short-lived and that a focus outside the game is pivotal.

While competing in the under-20‘s and lower grades, he completed a bachelor of exercise and health science degree, a masters of teaching and a certificate in mathematics.

This was to be his fourth year as a teacher before Barrett stepped in.

Dietz has been working as a school teacher at Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Kensington.

When the moment comes to run onto the field against Newcastle, Deitz will consider the journey he‘s taken to be here.

As the Rabbitohs reserve grade dummy-half in 2017, Deitz travelled to Auckland as a member of the South Sydney Nines squad.

“I was playing well and Madge (former Souths coach Michael Maguire) was happy with me, but when Damien Cook is having his breakout season and Robbie Farah is the back-up hooker, it was going to be pretty hard for me to get a chance there,” Deitz said.

“I then signed with North Sydney, who were the feeder club to the Roosters and I was then stuck behind Jake Friend and Sam Verrills.

“Ever since, I’ve just been trying to give it my best and make the most of it.

Deitz has moulded his game on Damien Cook.

“I’ve always backed my speed and my footy smarts of when to run and when to recognise in the ruck what’s needed from me.

“My strength is my running game.

“I paid a lot of attention to the way Damien Cook played and maybe I’ve taken some of that.’’

A superb try-scoring trial match performance two weeks ago against Cronulla was enough for Barrett to deliver the first major call of his coaching career at Canterbury.

“It’s unexpected, but I’ll relish it,’’ Deitz said.

“Mum and dad always taught me that working hard at school, having a good job, was the priority and that footy was a bonus.

“I must say, it’s a pretty good birthday present as well.’’

WHY YOUNGSTER HAS BARRETT’S BACKING AT NO.6

By Dean Ritchie

He is the Bankstown boy with rugby league’s X-factor.

Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has revealed why he opted for young Jake Averillo at five-eighth for round one ahead of Lachlan Lewis and Brandon Wakeham.

Averillo, who played just two games at five-eighth last season, is ready to claim the number six jumper alongside recruit Kyle Flanagan for Friday night’s match against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Jake Averillo will start at five-eighth for the Bulldogs.

Wakeham is still being considered for the five-eighth spot but Barrett spoke highly of Averillo and his “X-factor.”

Canterbury used five five eighths last season – Kieran Foran (14 games), Wakeham (two), Averillo (two), Lewis (one) with the departed Jack Cogger also playing one match.

Averillo, 20, who made his NRL debut last season, played 13 games in 2020, mostly at centre.

“Jake has to get through some more stuff but he looks good, he looks like he will be okay,” Barrett said.

“He played a bit of centre last year but is a natural footballer. He can play anywhere. He will be fine.

“He played some really good games at the back-end of last year for Canterbury, has had a really good off-season and deserves his spot.

“I think five-eighth is Jake’s natural position and he will give us something different. He’s got a bit of x-factor about him.

Brandon Wakeham is in the 21.

“Jake is a good addition to the team and he will get his chance.”

Wakeham has still claimed a spot in the 21-man squad announced on Tuesday afternoon.

“We still have to get through another big day (of training on Wednesday), that’s our main day,” Barrett said. “We will then a call.

“Brandon is there, he is still an option at six. He played six in the trial and had some good touches.”

Barrett wants his entire team to step up and for fans to refrain from throwing additional pressure on Flanagan.

“We’ve got to take some heat off Kyle,” Barrett said.

“I’m just looking for a real good team performance.

Trent Barrett is set to give Jake Averillo his big chance.

“It’s not one or two individuals. We are a young team and we all need to perform. That is from one to 17 and I’m confident they will.

“It’s not about one person in the team. That’s one thing with our mob. We all need to play our role and that’s what we will be doing.”

Bulldogs prop Dylan Napa is primed and pumped for another big season.

“I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Napa said.

“There has been a lot of change at Belmore and lot of turnover of staff. But they are exciting times and I’m happy to be part of it.”

Asked about Barrett, Napa said: “I can’t speak highly enough of him and the standards he wants to hold us to with what we’re trying to build here.

“I want to try and continue building on what I’ve done already and make some more memories. I approach each season the same way.”

Canterbury still hope Penrith’s Matt Burton may arrive at Belmore sometime this season but Barrett has now focused fully on the start of this season.

“We will head to Newcastle and see how we go,” Barrett said.