David Hala discusses injury-plagued Gold Coast stint in this week’s Lost Titan feature

AFTER years of pushing his body to the brink, David Hala is enjoying the chance to finally put his feet up, as he discusses in this week’s Lost Titan feature.

AFTER years of pushing his body to the brink, David Hala is enjoying the chance to finally put his feet up.

LOST TITAN - BRENTON LAWRENCE

A barnstorming interchange prop at the peak of his 39-game NRL career with the Broncos and Titans, Hala was limited largely by his failing frame.

A ruptured patella tendon and shoulder reconstruction were the chief offenders during a 2009-14 Broncos stint that yielded 37 appearances, before more form and fitness woes limited his output on the Coast to two games across 2015-16.

Now in the final stages of a refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship in Brisbane, Hala said walking away from the game had been a blessing in disguise.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster with all the injuries,” the 29-year-old said.

LOST TITAN - LEVA LI

David Hala at Titans training in 2015. Picture: Adam Head

LOST TITAN - MATT SRAMA

“They were all decent injuries, like shoulders and knees, so it was never something small. Every time I got back, as much as it was physically (a challenge), mentally was probably the toughest.

“It was a bit frustrating not being able to play the amount of games I wanted (but) I enjoyed every minute of it. I did the very best that I could and that’s all she wrote.

“I did sign with Redcliffe Dolphins, my junior club (for 2017), and I did half a pre-season but I was just starting this job and coming from the southside (of Brisbane), so I had to weigh it all up and take what pays the bills.

“I could’ve signed for different clubs but I just thought my time was up and had to focus on another career path. At first I found (the transition out of football) pretty tough, just because it’s something you’ve done for a long time.

LOST TITAN - MAT ROGERS

Hala (right) drives Melbourne’s Tohu Harris into the ground in 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch

LOST TITAN - BEN NAKUBUWAI

“But the company I’m with now, it’s been a good transition and a good bunch of blokes so it’s been good.”

The regular injuries proved a double whammy for the one-Test Tongan international.

Not only would he lose his NRL spot, but when he returned to full fitness he was forced to begin his quest for form all over again.

“Some guys have got all the talent and conditioning, but for guys like me I had to get used to (playing) over a month to get used to the game speed and everything like that,” he said.

“When you’re playing first grade you need those minutes built (over time). I just couldn’t get back into form (at the Titans) and couldn’t crack first grade because the guys that were playing at the time were hitting their stride and it was just hard to compete.

LOST TITAN - BEAU CHAMPION

Hala at Pizzey Park. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I only had two games to prove myself and cement a spot but you can only do so much with two games. If I kept building off those two games, who knows, maybe I could’ve played a bit more.

“I found (my time at the Titans) enjoyable. All the staff, and players especially, were very welcoming and everybody looked after each other, especially when you got injured.

“Everybody checked on you and was always positive.”

LOST TITAN - AGNATIUS PAASI

PLAYER PROFILE – DAVID HALA

Age: 29

Position: prop

Junior club: Redcliffe Dolphins

NRL clubs: Sydney Roosters (2008), Brisbane Broncos (2009-14), Gold Coast Titans (2015-16)

NRL games: 39 (Broncos 37, Titans 2)

NRL tries: 3

Career notes:

■ Member of Roosters’ 2008 under-20s side

■ Made NRL debut for Broncos against Canberra in Round 21, 2009 (a 56-0 loss)

■ Two games for Titans in 2015 - a 36-14 loss to Melbourne (Round 22) and 36-14 loss to the Bulldogs (Round 23)

■ One Test for Tonga in 2014 (a 32-18 loss to PNG)