Mower Man Luke Garner verges on greatest cut of all

Eight months ago, Luke Garner was mowing lawns for $20 an hour. Not convinced his NRL opportunity was gone. But not sure it wasn't either. Now, he’s a surprise contender to get a start for Wests Tigers.

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Eight months ago, Luke Garner was mowing lawns for $20 an hour.

Not convinced his NRL opportunity was gone.

But not sure it wasn't either.

"Because so often you hear about guys who only get one chance to play first grade," he says. "And for me, I knew I'd already used up mine."

An employee of Mowin' Away as recently as last June, 23-year-old Garner suddenly looms as a surprise contender for the 2019 Wests Tigers starting pack.

Wests Tigers 'lawnmower man' Luke Garner has had a wild eight months. ( Image / Monique Harmer)

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With veteran backrower Chris Lawrence sidelined for up to four months with a busted jaw, this unassuming Dubbo product is now being pitched up among potential replacements like Samoan international Michael Chee Kam and six-time Queensland Origin backrower Chris McQueen.

All of which is Garner's reward for nothing but grind.

Understanding three years ago, Roosters coach Trent Robinson sat across the desk from this then 90kg wannabe and, as politely as possible, punted him out of Bondi Junction — convinced the youngster not only lacked the size required of an NRL backrower, but also the work ethic.

"Which rattled me," Garner concedes.

Garner could start for the Tigers in Round 1. Picture: Monique Harmer

"Initially, I'd moved to Sydney a week after finishing high school. I played two years of under-20s at Manly with guys like Tom Trbojevic and Jesse Ramien — making a grand final in 2015 — then signed with the Roosters and went straight into their top squad.

"So to be flicked within a year … it was tough."

And the reason for your axing?

"I wasn't mature enough to be there," he concedes.

"Wasn't mature enough mentally, wasn't mature enough physically, either.

"Apart from not understanding the opportunity that had been placed in my hands, I also wasn't big enough. I wanted to be an NRL backrower but was only weighing 90kg."

And so, Robinson hauled Garner in for that chat that finishes with your possessions in a cardboard box.

An injury to veteran Chris Lawrence has opened a role for Garner. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Overnight, resigned to mowing lawns and ringing around old mates for a second chance he wasn't even sure existed.

Yet eventually at Western Suburbs, the kid found one.

"Although trying to climb back up, it's hard," Garner says.

"One minute you're in this elite training environment, the next you're off to work at 6am and not getting home until 9pm that night.

"Over and over, like Groundhog Day.

"I was just lucky my boss Matt Planten, he'd let me knock off from mowing lawns early so I could keep turning up to training."

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And guess what?

On June 30 last year, Garner signed with Wests Tigers for not only the rest of that season, but the next two.

Just as around 18 months ago, this backrower now boasting six NRL starts also finally filled out to 100kg.

"So now I just have to work," he says.

"Keep doing my extras at training.

"I've always been a fairly positive guy and so, for the past year, I've continually told myself, 'just keep training, just keep doing the hard work' and something will come your way.

"And now, it has."