Four cut-price rejects deemed not good enough to play for a bunch of NRL also-rans are now battling it out for the premiership.
Stranded in park football before being given an NRL lifeline, Canberra’s Sandor Earl, Melbourne prop Richie Fa’aoso, North Queensland hooker Anthony Mitchell and Canterbury centre Krisnan Inu all remain in contention to play on that last Sunday in September.
All were let go by clubs that deemed them not good enough to make their top grade squad.
None of the four sides that let them go – Penrith (Earl), the Warriors (Inu), Newcastle (Fa’aoso) or Sydney Roosters (Mitchell) – managed to qualify for the finals.
In the case of Earl and Inu in particular, they have become integral members of their new squads.
On top of assuming the right centre position and goalkicking duties – Inu has also become the Bulldogs’ go-to man in the clutch, having nailed two match-winning field goals in his 14 games in the blue and white.
Similarly Earl has been a revelation since making the move from Penrith to the nation’s capital, with seven tries in 11 games for his new club – including a double in last week’s elimination final win over Cronulla.
“I just wanted to play first grade,” Earl said of his move.
“I just wanted show people what I could do. That was my first aim – now I’m just enjoying the ride.
“I’d come off a couple of injuries, had no pre-season and there was a new coaching staff at Penrith so I had no backing.
“I was in good form in reserve grade – I knew I just needed a shot.
“I got one and I think I’ve shown (the faith) has been warranted.”
Despite languishing in the NSW Cup with Windsor Wolves earlier in the year, Earl said he never doubted his ability to hold down a top grade berth.
After shifting from Sydney Roosters to the Panthers in 2010, Earl gave a glimpse of his ability when he scored five tries in eight games.
Inu played four Tests for New Zealand during his four-year stint at Parramatta from 2007-2010.
Even during a mixed 15 months at the Warriors he managed to play a pivotal role in their run to the 2011 grand final.
“Blokes like myself and Krisnan – we’ve had good moments in the game before,” Earl said.
“Sometimes, for whatever reason – things just don’t go your way or they go a bit stale.
“A breath of fresh air like this – it does wonders for people.”
It has also done wonders for their clubs.
Since Earl’s arrival at Canberra, the Raiders have won nine of 11 games – having lost nine of their previous 14 matches.
The Bulldogs have lost only one of the 14 games Inu has played, having won six and lost five prior to his arrival at Belmore.
The Cowboys have won four of the six games Mitchell has been involved in – though his real impact could come on Friday night with first-choice hooker Aaron Payne in severe doubt to face Manly due to a knee injury.
