NRL 2021: Rugby league legend Sam Thaiday reveals his quirky post-football life

Rugby league great Sam Thaiday has been busy channelling the creative energy that was put on the backburner during his NRL days.

Sam Thaiday has always had a creative mind, and now he’s finally had the chance to take a pen to paper. The retired professional rugby league great says he’s been busy writing children’s books, which his eldest daughter Gracie loves.

“Gracie sneakily took one to school,” Sam laughs. “I did a first edit on it and I found it in her room. She took it to school and the kids like it. So, I got their approval.”

Sam Thaiday with kids Gracie (l) and Elsie. Pic Annette Dew

Sam has written four books, one of which is The Fox and the Bunny. “It’s about fitting in and not judging people by what they look like or should look like. The fox and the bunny should be friends. It’s very much Zootopia,” he says.

“It’s about how beautiful their friendship is. They don’t see colour, race or religion or breed as an issue, they just want to be friends.”

Sam says his three other books are linked to purposeful messages. “They are traditional and non-traditional stories, stories I remember being told as a kid.”

Sam says when someone tells a story you can put your own twist on it, but the message is still there. He says exploring his creative side has been fun. “My stories have a hidden message,” he says. “I’ve always had a creative mind, but for many years I have had to put that on the back- burner and channel my energy and effort into rugby league.”

Sam Thaiday with his dog Winkie and daughter Elsie. Pic Annette Dew

AT HOME WITH NRL LEGEND SAM THAIDAY

Who: Former Australian rugby league footballer Sam Thaiday; Queensland State of Origin, Broncos and Indigenous Australian representative.

Where: A single-storey home in Samford Village, northwest of Brisbane with wife Rachel and children Gracie, eight, Ellsie, six, and three dogs, Winkie (Sam’s first dog), 14, Rocco and Busta, and rescue cat Trevor.

Sam Thaiday kicking back. Pic Annette Dew

Favourite thing: The kitchen. The toughest conversations and the most important have happened around the kitchen bench.

Inspiration: This is a very quirky home. It’s architecturally designed and there’s lots of odd angles.

Home is: A sanctuary, a place to relax and spend time with family. If you get the code to the front gate you are in the inner circle.

SAM THAIDAY’S FAVOURITE THINGS

Broncos cap

Beloved Broncos cap. Pic Annette Dew

As a young kid I loved rugby league. This is a vintage Broncos hat, and it’s symbolic because it makes me think of my time and history at the Broncos. It’s about the chance I had to play with them.

‘Special occasion’ aftershave

For special occasions only. Pic Annette Dew

That’s one of my ‘special occasion’ aftershaves. It’s for presentation balls or fancy dinners. Interlude Amouage reminds me of the Middle East.

Shark totem

Hammerhead Shark totem. Pic Annette Dew

This hammer head shark is a family totem. It reminds me of my father’s Torres Strait heritage. There’s little bits around the house that remind me of my family and where my dad is from.

NRL Rings

Ring, ring. Pic Annette Dew

One of these rings is from 2006. It’s a premiership ring. I am surprised I didn’t lose it. When we won it that year, I wore it for a week, I’m surprised it didn’t get cut off from the swelling, and all that partying. It’s special to me. The other one is for playing my 300th game.

Air Jordans

Well earned wheels. Pic Annette Dew

When I was younger my brother Reuben had a better work ethic than me and he bought a pair of Nike Air Jordans. I was never allowed to touch them, they had their own shelf. It was my goal as a kid to get a pair and now I can say I have given him a few pairs over the years.

Chopping board

Who doesn’t love a BBQ? Pic Annette Dew

We love having Sunday roasts at our home, just us or 15 people. Roasts are my go-to. I do love a barbecue. Or a simple salad with a top-quality steak from the butcher cooked to the best of my ability.

Bronzed boot

Das boot. Pic Annette Dew

I was presented this when I retired in 2018. It’s a single boot, one I actually played with. It goes through a process where they cover it in bronze. It’s pretty cool how they do it. I am glad I was able to be recognised by the NRL.

Milestone Steeden

Game ball. Pic Annette Dew

It’s almost a full circle moment when I look at this. From where I started in Townsville and where I finished. My last game was played in Townsville. To reach such a milestone in my hometown was a huge occasion and honour. Looking at that ball … that’s my career.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Rugby league legend Sam Thaiday reveals his quirky post-football life