When NRL stars return to their home towns they always have a lasting impact on up-and-coming juniors who aspire of one day playing at the very top.
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For Kotoni Staggs, something Penrith Panthers gun Tyrone Peachey told him at Wellington years ago is still with him today.
Cowboys junior Staggs is gearing up for this weekend’s Instrust Super Cup grand final in Queensland, where he will line up in the centres for the Redcliffe Dolphins against Easts.
It’s been a huge year for Staggs. He made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in round 11 and went on to play in the top flight another eight times.
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He’s also been a standout for the Dolphins whenever he has lined up for them and all the success can be traced back to something he was told by Peachey when he was still a young gun running around Kennard Park.
"When I was a young kid Tyrone was at Penrith and he used to come back home to see his nan and pop. I would ask him 'What do I have to do to get to the spot you're in?' and he would always tell me 'keep training hard and never give up'," Staggs told NRL.com.
"I'd seen what he had done for the community and it was inspiring. I knew that it was only a matter of time before I could give back to the community as well if I worked hard.
"Tyrone and the game of footy actually made me strive to achieve the dream I had as a child which was to play NRL for the Brisbane Broncos.
"Whether I am training at Redcliffe or with the Broncos I always compete and I come out and play with the same mindset."
Regardless of Sunday’s result, Staggs will remain a hero at home in Wellington.
He’s had a massive following since his move to Brisbane and a group of Cowboys and family members traveled to Brisbane to watch the young gun make his debut against the Sydney Roosters, a game in which he scored.
That community and support is something Staggs, and also Peachey, savours.
"I ended up getting some game time Tyrone him in 2016 playing in the Koori Knockout with a team called Nanima Common Connection, a team we made up from all our family and our mob back in Wellington," Staggs said.
"I played centre and he was five-eighth and it was a lot of fun playing alongside him, just knowing that we come from the same community and are doing our community proud."
Someone who idolised Broncos great Darren Lockyer when growing up, Staggs made the move to Brisbane after leading the Wellington Cowboys under 18s to the Group 11 title in 2016.
He started this season in the under 20s but soon caught the eye of Redcliffe coach and former Queensland representative Adam Mogg.
Due to time with the Broncos, Staggs has played just 13 times for the Dolphins this season. However, he is still the second leading scorer in the competition with 162 points.
Sunday’s grand final will be live streamed from 3pm on the QRL website and the Intrust Super Cup Facebook page.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
