‘I’ve always believed I’d get here’: Paul Alamoti set to realise childhood dream after emphatic preliminary final performance

He was supposed to be the next big thing at the Bulldogs, but Paul Alamoti is instead preparing to live out a childhood dream when he runs out in next week’s grand final for the Panthers.

Paul Alamoti was all smiles after he scored a double that will see him play in his first NRL grand final next week. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Paul Alamoti always believed that he’d be playing in an NRL grand final one day, but the Panthers centre feared that those hopes and dreams had come crashing down when he broke his arm two months ago.

The injury against the Dolphins had plenty of people – including Alamoti – thinking his season was over, but a positive scan gave him confidence he could return, with the first-year Panther producing the best game of his career in Saturday’s preliminary final win over the Sharks.

The Sharks couldn’t contain Paul Alamoti who scored two crucial tries in Saturday’s preliminary final. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“Initially that’s what I thought, I thought I was done for the year (with my) broken arm, just that first thought that comes to mind,” he said after the 26-6 win.

“I got a scan that day, the scan went pretty well and coach gave me confidence that I’d get back in time to string a few games together and he put a lot of trust in me to come straight back into the NRL, which was good.”

Alamoti was touted as the next big thing at Canterbury but he fell out of favour in his rookie season and was more than happy to make the move to Penrith where nothing was guaranteed.

He was forced to bide his time behind Taylan May who was cut by the club midway through the season, with Alamoti now set to play the crucial left centre role which Stephen Crichton dominated before he joined the Bulldogs.

While most Penrith players are used to grand finals, this is foreign territory for Alamoti.

But after scoring the first double of his career against Cronulla and then earning high praise from his coach, he looks more than ready to handle the biggest stage.

Alamoti isn’t feeling nervous ahead of the biggest game of his career. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“I think it was Paul’s best game, an all-round performance,” coach Ivan Cleary said.

“He’s had a great season. He came into our squad, obviously we lost Critta (Crichton) who was a huge loss for us. His replacement, we lost him too, Taylan May. So all of a sudden Pauly was the man and he’s just done a great job this year.

“He’s come back from a broken arm, and tonight he was outstanding.”

Alamoti missed a month with that injury but returned in the NSW Cup where he kicked a clutch conversion at the death to help Penrith knock off the ladder-leading Raiders.

He was straight back in the NRL side and is looking forward to Sunday’s grand final where the Panthers are looking for a fourth title in a row.

“I was actually pretty good this week. The whole finals series so far I’ve been pretty good with nerves,” he said.

“I’ve dreamt of these moments. I’ve always believed I’d get here eventually one day. Now that I’m here, it’s like I’ve been here before, but I haven’t.

“It definitely helps a lot, this is probably the best prep you can get heading into a grand final so that gives me great confidence knowing that we all performed well.

“That’s all I can do now, all the work’s done now, just enjoy the week, get ready for next week.

“I’m still not satisfied. We’ve got one more game to go. I want to win a premiership. They’re the reasons why you play this game, we’re one step closer. I couldn’t even tell you (how much it would mean to win). Ask me that in eight days.

“The boys here, they’ve been here the last five years. The vibe around the group’s been really calm, the boys are very confident, they know how to handle themselves in this situation. I just feed off the back of it, the energy, it’s a calm feeling.

“That’s where my head’s at. I just follow what the vibes are like around the group.”