NRL news: Luciano Leilua set for emotional return to Dragons, opens up on drink driving incident
After making headlines for the wrong reasons in recent months, an emotional Luciano Leilua is set for his Dragons return as he prepares to don the red-v for the first time since 2019.
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Luciano Leilua claims his “heart has always been here” as he prepares to play his first game for St George Illawarra in five years.
Much has changed for Leilua since he last put on the Red-V. But according to the 27-year-old back-rower the love for the club has never wavered.
“I’ve always wanted to come back to the Dragons,” Leilua said. “I didn’t know when it was. I’m glad it is now. I feel thing we can do something this year. I thought my time away from the club was long enough. I had to come back.
“Putting on that red-v will fix everything I am really emotional just to play for the club again to be honest.
“It will bring back so many memories for the juniors and coming through the ranks. I can’t wait to listen to our fans. I won’t play in front of them this week but next week will be a cracker back at home.”
He joins the Dragons after making headlines for the wrong reasons in recent months. Leilua was suspended for one game after being found guilty of drink driving in his final weeks at the Cowboys.
“It was a silly mistake,” Leilua said. “I have taken ownership. I’m grateful that I got one week and I have to repay for the faith the Dragons have shown.
“(The drink driving incident) had nothing to do with (why I left) the Cowboys. I loved it up there and the town was good to me … but I wanted to come home.
“I wanted to bring my girls back to Sydney and have them grow up where I grew up. It all happened really quickly.
“The Dragons were one of the club’s interested and I was like I wanted to go there straight away. I have unfinished business and I want to take the club back to where it should be.”
The Hurstville junior rose through the Dragons pathways before making his NRL debut in 2016. But it has been a long road back to the club.
After struggling to cement a regular starting spot Leilua was released early from his Dragons deal to join the Tigers before spending the past 18 months at the Cowboys.
He joins fellow local product Hame Sele as St George Illawarra’s big-name recruits.
“I’ve matured a bit quicker being away from the club,” Leilua said. “Seeing other clubs how they operate and gaining information from different people.
“(Coach Shane Flanagan) wants me to bring experience and energy. I’ve got a relationship with lots of guys here already.”
The likes of Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Mikaele Ravalawa remain from Leilua’s last-stint at the club.
Leilua will play against the Dolphins on Sunday before facing his old side North Queensland next week.
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Originally published as NRL news: Luciano Leilua set for emotional return to Dragons, opens up on drink driving incident
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