New recruit Dylan Napa wants to create his own legacy at Canterbury
There are few NRL jerseys harder to fill than David Klemmer’s. But if anyone’s got the presence to do it, it’s Dylan Napa - and Canterbury’s new man is determined to do it his way.
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IT took Dylan Napa 121 NRL games to wear a premiership jersey, so when the flame-haired prop finally got the chance he was reluctant to ever take it off.
But after 36 hours of celebrations with his Sydney Roosters teammates he finally stripped off the sweat-soaked jersey, not knowing it would be the last time he would do so.
Canterbury began chasing Napa once David Klemmer decided to move to Newcastle, with the Roosters and Queensland enforcer signing a three-year deal worth about $2 million and slipping on a new blue and white jersey.
“I wasn’t nervous putting it on or anything like that,’’ Napa said. “It’s now my jersey and I want to make myself, my family and teammates as proud as I can.’’
Napa played in the Roosters’ preliminary final in 2013 but was left out of the team that won the grand final because Luke O’Donnell returned from injury.
“I worked so hard to get to a grand final and I didn’t want to take it off straight away,’’ Napa said of his celebrations. “It took me a long time to get into a grand final jersey. There wasn’t much thought behind it.
“It’s hard to get to a grand final let alone win one. I just kept it on as long as I could. I took it off sometime on Monday, I can’t really remember.”
Napa has left a premiership heavyweight to join a rebuilding club which desperately needs on-field leaders.
Having played in five State of Origin matches and now won a premiership, Napa has backed himself to make the transition.
“It was a tough decision,’’ Napa said.
“Obviously I have made a lot of great mates there and built a lot of really close relationships with all my teammates, the coaching staff and all the people around the office.
“But I had a couple of options and decided this option was probably the best for me at this time of my career. It will hopefully give me a re-motivation and make me strive to be better as a player and person.
“Speaking with Josh (Jackson) and Dean Pay, they were really clear of where the club was going. They were really good about direction the Bulldogs were going and I wanted to be part of that.
“I’ve been coming to terms with it (joining Canterbury) for the last week or so. The other players and coaches have really welcomed me. It’s been a pretty easy transition so far.”
Napa replaces State of Origin rival David Klemmer, who became a club and crowd favourite during his six seasons at Belmore.
Napa is determined to create his own legacy.
“I am here to replace a position, not him,” Napa said. “Dean Pay (Bulldogs coach) was really clear with that when talking to me.
“He said he doesn’t want me to be David Klemmer – he wants me to be Dylan Napa.
“Obviously there is pressure (replacing Klemmer) but if I didn’t want pressure, I probably shouldn’t be playing rugby league.
“If there is any pressure, it’s to become the best yourself. I am going to enjoy the challenge of becoming the best Dylan Napa. If I didn’t want a pressure job I’m probably in the wrong industry.
“With rugby league, pressure is the best part about it. It gets the best from you. As awesome a time as I had at the Roosters, this is the next chapter in my story. And the best part is I get to write it.’’
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Originally published as New recruit Dylan Napa wants to create his own legacy at Canterbury
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