Runaway Bay Seagulls fullback Tyler Han’s journey to Queensland Cup debut with the Papua New Guinea Hunters

Each day this Runaway Bay star cares for his ill mother, works long hours and trains for his shot at the big time. Those sacrifices culminated in a moment his whole family will cherish forever.

There have been a mountain of sacrifices Tyler Han has made in realising a childhood dream.

As his days stretched on for 16 hours of work, driving, training and caring for his family, each battle the Runaway Bay fullback overcame were necessary steps towards a memorable debut for the Papua New Guinea Hunters.

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Han made his maiden Queensland Cup appearance off the bench in the Hunters 42-20 triumph over the Townsville Blackhawks, scoring in the closing minutes courtesy of the typical zip and speed he has become known for on the Gold Coast.

Before a ball had been kicked in 2022, the young gun was aligned with the Tweed Seagulls, however a desire to represent his heritage was just one reason which led him to completely dedicating himself to Runaway Bay.

However Han said his choice was not purely determined by his rugby league pursuits. Rather it was in a bid to provide greater care for his mother in Brisbane.

Runaway Bay fullback Tyler Han fought his way to a Queensland Cup debut with the PNG Hunters. Pic Mike Batterham

“My old lady has Multiple Sclerosis, so it was easier to travel to Runaway Bay (from Brisbane). It’s closer so I could help her with my siblings, and we’re renovating her house for her as well,” he said.

“It took me two-and-a-half hours to get to Tweed. I work on the house most days of the week, renovating it for mum, and then I was training five days a week — three days at Tweed, two at Runaway Bay while living in Brisbane.

“I do carpentry here and there, that’s my weekly job an then I do concreting every now and then. I’d probably leave home 5.30am, get to work and do my 10 hours, then I’d have to leave to get to training by 5.30pm.

“That was costing me, I would fill up petrol four or five times a week, it was my whole week’s wage gone. I had to bite my tongue and move to one club.

“Mum and dad were both born in PNG. Dad was always in my head that if I played for the Hunters it would be crazy, and everyone back home was over the moon. It’s been a dream.”

The week leading up to his first Hunters cap went by in a blur for Han. From the moment he received the call from coach Matt Church he had been unable to stay still.

For the opening 67 minutes of the clash in North Queensland Han was a nervous wreck in the number 14 jersey, constantly jumping up off the bench and spinning a ball on his finger.

At last, when his chance came, he took it with both hands and strolled over from close range to put the finishing touches on a commanding victory.

Tyler Han - Picture: Richard Walker

It was an emotional moment not only for the versatile outside back, but his whole family — with uncle in tears back in Papua New Guinea when he touched down to score and his loved ones in Brisbane also sent into hysterics.

Han said he was not getting ahead of himself just yet — even with a World Cup at the end of the year to dream of.

He said for the time being he was focused on earning himself another chance to impress for his country, and for the Seagulls in the Gold Coast competition.

“It was a crazy feeling, a different and good atmosphere, and those boys were crazy. Their discipline with everything they do is different to the way I was playing,” Han said.

“I’ll take it as it comes, this is still just a big achievement for me and something I set a the start of the year.

“If Churchie gives me a call I’ll wait for that. At the moment I’ll be living my normal life and hopefully I can stay with the boys and keep playing with them.”