Cronulla Sharks recruit Daniel Holdsworth has made a public plea for stolen memorabilia to be returned after his Caringbah house was broken into on Sunday night.
On the same day Willie Mason was arrested for drink-driving, Holdsworth was dealing with police for a very different reason.
The experienced five-eighth, who is returning to the NRL this season after four years in the English Super League, was left bitterly disappointed when he woke on Monday to discover his back-room had been ransacked by thieves.
Holdsworth took to social media to ask for anyone with information to come forward, however he fears treasured items like his debut St George Illawarra jersey may be gone forever.
Also among the five items stolen were signed jerseys from former teammates Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew Ryan.
Holdsworth said the items were highly sentimental and wouldn’t be of “much use to anyone but me.”
“I’m a light sleeper too so I didn’t hear anything to be honest,” Holdsworth told AAP.
“But when I went out the back this morning to hang some clothes on the line I realised the sliding doors were open. I had a look around and realised the room was bare.
“I’ve gone and seen the police. Obviously I haven’t touched anything so they’re going to come around and finger-print the place. I got it out there on social media as best I could and we’ll go from there. I don’t know how I’ll track it but hopefully it might turn up.”
Holdsworth played the majority of his NRL career at Canterbury, but returns hoping to put pressure on Cronulla halves Todd Carney and Jeff Robson.
The 29-year-old played for Salford and Hull FC in the Super League and said the experience taught him plenty about his own game.
“I’m pumped. It’s good for me. I had a good time over in England but it’s good to be back and getting another crack in the NRL,” he said.
“I don’t know if that was England or just growing up a bit but I’m definitely excited and confident I can do it.
“I know Toddy and Robbo have been doing a good job the last few years so I might have to play for my chance or sneak in the 17 somewhere. Make sure I’m ready to go when I get the chance.”
