Round 19 BIG LEAGUE 2019 17

Steel

YOUNG KNIGHT RISES
When Saifiti was named to make his
Origin debut in Game Two, it surprised
many – including the man himself.
If you’d told him at the start of the year
that he’d make his Origin debut this season,
he wouldn’t have believed you.
It wasn’t ever on his radar,
especially considering
he started the year
from the bench.
“I would’ve
laughed at you,”
Saifiti says.
“At t h e
start of the
year, State of
Origin wasn’t
even on my radar.
It wasn’t even

a goal of mine because I didn’t think it could

happen. It’s crazy.”

The 23-year-old prop ranks this Origin

series as the highlight of his young career,

and now that he’s gained a Blues jersey, he

doesn’t want to let it go.

“It’s crazy to think I’m here now, but I’m

not content [just to be here[. I’m grateful

for the opportunity but I don’t want to be

a two-game guy who’ll never play again.”

STEEL CITY FOCUS

This time last year, Klemmer declared his

would remain a Bulldog for life – but it’s funny

how quickly things can turn in rugby league.

The Blues prop shocked everyone when he

turned his back on the famous Sydney club,

signing a lucrative deal with the Knights.

The big man has previously shared his

struggles with mental demons, but the move

to Newcastle has given him a new lease on life

and it’s noticeable when he takes to the field.

“Life is good at the moment, and yeah,

I’m enjoying my footy,” Klemmer says.

“I’ve really enjoyed this season, it’s

been different for me but it’s been

a good change.”

Klemmer has been one of the

best signings of 2019 and has

been outstanding since joining

the club. He’s happy with

how he’s performed so

far this season but says

what matters the most

is how he finishes

the campaign.

“The key is to

stay consistent

after Origin,”

he says.

“Hopefully I can

use the momentum

of the Origin victory

at the Knights. I need to

stay consistent and look after my body, but

I’m ready for a big finish to the season.”

Following his decision to not undergo

surgery on his broken wrist, Klemmer

will be forced to play through pain

for the remainder of the season,

but he insists that won’t affect him.

“There will be lingering pain

for the rest of the year,” he says.

“But it doesn’t bother me

because I love playing footy.

I’ve got to manage it with the

physios. I’ll probably have to

needle it before games but I’ll

be right for the rest of the year.”

Beanie for

Brain Cancer

NRL FANS are being encouraged

to get their beanies on during this

weekend’s Beanie for Brain Cancer

Round in support of the Mark Hughes

Foundation – a charity created by the

former Knight and his family after he was

diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013.

The foundation’s mission is to raise

much needed funds for research, to

create awareness and support brain

cancer patients and their families.

The NRL has supported this cause

for the past few years and the special

round will go to a new level in 2019.

Newcastle’s home ground,

McDonald Jones Stadium, will don

its own three-metre high beanie and

be renamed Beanie for Brain Cancer

Stadium, and all NRL venues will

sell beanies at merchandise outlets

“I’d like to thank McDonald Jones

Stadium for their amazing support

again in 2019,” Hughes says.

“For Bill McDonald and Venues

NSW to come together to support

our cause and give up the naming

rights to McDonald Jones Stadium

is a huge gesture and one that we’re

truly honoured by. We can’t wait to see

a packed house at the Knights game with

the loyal fans wearing their beanies.”

For more information or to donate, please

visit: markhughesfoundation.com.au