How Dragons winger Nene Macdonald defied a life of drama to achieve his NRL dreams
NENE Macdonald may be a professional rugby league player, but he recalls his troubled youth growing up in Cairns when he feared he’d amount to nothing.
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NENE Macdonald is sitting in the southern grandstand at WIN Stadium on a sun-drenched Wollongong day.
The picture perfect scene of impeccably mowed grass, only a drop kick away from the Tasman Sea, makes Macdonald feel grateful.
He can’t help but cast his mind back to troubled youth growing up in Cairns, when he feared he’d amount to nothing.
Reality hit hard when his boozing and fighting ways resulted in him being taken home in the back a police paddy wagon.
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“That was my turning point,” Macdonald told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I was 16 and I was going off the rails. I wasn’t playing rugby league and I didn’t go to school for about six months. I was just being mischievous and causing trouble and I didn’t have a care in the world.
“I was always drinking and fighting and that is when the police picked me up and dropped me home one day.
“I remember talking to my mum afterwards and saying I need a change.”
After a heart-to-heart with his mother Macdonald decided to leave his comfort zone in Cairns and move four hours south to Townsville.
He knew he had to break free of the drama-fuelled cycle that was damaging his life.
He lived with a local teacher while attending Kirwan State High — a rugby league-focused school that helped the troubled teen find his feet.
“If I didn’t move, I probably wouldn’t be here talking to you now,” the former Roosters and Titans flyer said.
“I made the sacrifice to leave behind all my close friends. It was tough, but I moved in with a family and they had a massive influence on me.
“Now I’m living a life that I never thought I would at the Dragons.
“Training is right near the beach and I’m earning good money to do what I love doing. I never thought I’d make it this far, so I’ll be forever grateful.
“I’ve changed a lot from the person I used to be.”
Macdonald is now using his story to inspire the next generation in Cairns to follow in his footsteps.
The Dragons winger has completed a certificate in youth work and regularly travels home to speak with the local kids.
“I love going back and doing something for the community,” he said.
“There could be a lot more kids come out of Cairns. It is hard because some kids come from broken homes, but they just need someone there to push them in the right path.
“They might not play in the NRL, but they can achieve something great for themselves and their family.”
Macdonald is particularly proud to represent his native nation — Papua New Guinea — where he was born before moving to Cairns at three.
“Rugby league in PNG is more important than being a governor or a president,” grinned Macdonald, who has played nine Tests for the Kumuls.
“It’s one of those things that every little boy (dreams of) growing up to be.
“To play in the World Cup last year for PNG was crazy. It was probably louder than any NRL game I’ve played in.
“The crowd would even cheer for the opposing team if they did something good.”
Macdonald has made the big time, but he’ll never forget his hardworking beginnings.
“I was probably half as talented as some of my mates back home,” he said.
“They could be here, but I guess you’ve got to commit yourself.
“I dedicated myself to putting my head down and it has got me to where I am now.”