‘Anything can be taken away from you’: Paul Alamoti makes most of opportunities after shock move away from Bulldogs

Paul Alamoti once thought he’d be a Bulldog for life, but the local junior was on the move after just one season and landed at a place that has taken his game to new heights.

Daine Laurie and Paul Alamoti are making the most of their moves to the Panthers. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The Panthers are hopeful that Liam Martin’s foot injury won’t keep him sidelined for too long, with the State of Origin star set to miss this weekend’s game against Manly, while Dylan Edwards is also unlikely to make a miraculous recovery in time for Sunday’s clash.

Martin was in a moon boot following Wednesday’s Origin opener, but his injury isn’t expected to keep him out for long, with Luke Garner set to replace him in the starting side this weekend.

He will likely be joined in the stands by the luckless Edwards, who was named on an extended bench just days after he was ruled out of what would’ve been a Blues debut because of a quad injury.

The fittest man in the sport could be back next week in a bid to prove his fitness to Blues coach Michael Maguire, with Daine Laurie set to hold his spot at the back for Penrith.

Laurie is loving life in his second stint at the club, and his desire is to stay at Penrith with the club and his manager working on a new deal.

He’s an option to replace Jarome Luai in the halves next year if he stays on, but his sole focus is filling in for a man who simply doesn’t know how to stop.

Daine Laurie will get another opportunity at fullback with Dylan Edwards expected to miss the Manly game. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I look to do what Dyl does. It’s hard because he’s fit as, but I’ve got to try to learn as much as I can off him and try to add that to my game,” he said.

“They’ve been successful for four years because Dyl has been unreal from the back.

“He smokes me (in the fitness drills). He’s a freak.

“It’s always good to get some game time. I just have to do my role. I’m only worried about doing my role for the team.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill at the back.”

While Laurie knows the Penrith system well, Paul Alamoti is quickly realising what makes the club so special after he joined them in the off-season following a shock move from the Bulldogs.

The Milperra Colts junior was expected to be the future of the club but fell out of favour late last year when he was dropped to reserve grade.

Paul Alamoti thought he’d be a Bulldogs player for life. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I love my time here. I enjoy coming to work every day, and to be honest, this doesn’t even feel like work to me. It’s almost like a hobby where I come in and play footy for fun and get paid for it,” he said.

“I went through a bit of a rough patch last year in what was a really long first year in the NRL which probably didn’t go to plan.

“Things just didn’t work out. It was my first year in the NRL and I was trying to get my head around things with how I could be smarter in different situations.

“I learnt a lot of lessons, and now I can use them in my second year.

“I was surprised (to leave) because all young kids coming through certain systems want to play their whole career there and be a one-club man.

“I was quick to figure out the world works in mysterious ways. I’m not angry that I’m here because they’re the best club of the past five years.

“An opportunity came up here and it was a no-brainer. I said yes to it straight away, and it was the best move I’ve ever made.”

Alamoti arrived in Penrith with nothing guaranteed given the Panthers had an established backline, but he’s impressed them enough to earn an extension.

Alamoti now has the chance to make the left centre spot his own. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I was very grateful to the club for showing faith in me,” he said.

“They were the ones who approached me at a time when I was at the crossroads and didn’t have anything for the future.

“For them to have even more faith in me by extending me that extra year made me so happy.”

Having started the year in NSW Cup, Alamoti now looks set to be their left centre for the rest of the season with Taylan May’s NRL career hanging by a thread.

“I try not to say that this is my position because anything can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye,” Alamoti said.

“I just try to think that I’m there for that week and I try to do everything I can to perform well.

“If I keep that mindset of being the guy who’s always chasing, that’ll keep me in good stead.”