Leva Li discusses one-game NRL career in this week’s Lost Titan feature

IT was a sliding doors moment and one that Leva Li looks back on with more than a touch of regret. With his two-year Titans contract at an end, the damaging outside back reached a crossroads in late 2016.

IT was a sliding doors moment and one that Leva Li looks back on with more than a touch of regret.

With his two-year Titans contract at an end, the 190cm, 101kg outside back reached a crossroads in late 2016: return to Sydney or remain on the Gold Coast to try to reignite his one-game NRL career via the Burleigh Bears.

“(Then-Titans coach) Neil Henry asked me to hang around and see what happens, and Burleigh offered for me to play for their (Intrust Super) Cup team,” Li, 24, said.

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“I came back to Sydney just for a holiday and hadn’t made my mind up but I got comfortable with my family and never went back (to the Coast). I look back and think I should’ve just stayed at Burleigh.

“It’s just something I look back on as a major learning curve.”

Leva Li in Titans colours in 2015. Picture: Regi Varghese

A former NYC player with the Wests Tigers and Parramatta, Li’s first experience on the Coast came during the Tweed Seagulls’ 2015 pre-season, before the Titans came calling with a train-and-trial offer.

While he impressed enough to secure a deal for the next two seasons, he was forced to bide his time with the Seagulls’ ISC side until his sole NRL call-up arrived against the Bulldogs in Round 23 of 2015.

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While his trip to Central Coast Stadium ended with a 36-14 defeat, it was an experience he will not forget.

“I remember the whole week. I remember watching the under-20s boys before our game and thinking ‘that was me last year’,” he said.

“During the warm up we were getting booed because we were the away team but I didn’t care, I took it all in. I was just overwhelmed.

“I got presented my jersey by (former Titan) Greg Bird and I was real emotional about it. I was grateful for the opportunity that was given to me.

“I didn’t get involved until about eight minutes into the game but once I got in I was safe, I did my job. I was happy with my performance.

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“I’m happy I played one game but I thought I could’ve played a few more games (in 2015). I didn’t have the best pre-season second time around (in 2016) with injuries and things, so that didn’t help my cause. I just played cup (for Tweed) that year.”

After returning to Sydney, Li crashed back to earth in 2017, spending the season with Mounties in the lower-grade Sydney Shield.

Li in action for Tweed Seagulls. Picture: Jerad Williams

He began the long climb back to the top by stepping up to Blacktown’s Ron Massey Cup side last year, and has now become a fixture of the Workers’ second-tier NSW Cup outfit in 2019.

“I’m a realist but I’m young, healthy and I think I can get back up there (into the NRL). It’s just a matter of finding the right place and the right team and hopefully when it comes I can grab it with both hands.

“I met a lot of great people (at the Titans), a lot of great coaches and trainers. They pushed me to get where I did. I never thought I’d play NRL.”

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LEVA LI FACT FILE

Age: 24

Position: wing, centre

NRL games: 1

NRL debut: Gold Coast Titans vs. Canterbury in Round 23, 2015 (a 36-14 loss)

Career notes:

■ Former NYC player with Wests Tigers and Parramatta

■ 38 games for Tweed Seagulls in 2015-16

■ Now playing for Blacktown Workers in NSW Cup