Young Magpies back Creedence Toia is excited at the opportunity to play in the NRL after signing a trial-and-train contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for 2022.
The 20-year old talent will be using all of the skills he picked up in school at Marsden State High, and the Souths Logan Magpies, as pre-season training begins at Belmore.
It’s a far cry from the comforts of his family home in Crestmead, Logan City, where he would arrive after match day to a home-cooked meal from Mum.
Still, it’s not all bad, as Creedence laughs.
“I only have to worry about my own washing, not other people’s, so that’s good.”
“Still, having to make my own food is something new.”
He says training with the likes of Corey Oates, Jamayne Isaako and Tom Dearden at Souths Logan has given him good preparation for an NRL pre-season.
The Bulldogs will have a revamped lineup in 2022, with several high-profile signings including the likes of Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Jnr playing in the blue and white next season.
Despite that, Toia says the club worked hard to make him feel at home after arriving in Sydney, and he hasn’t felt overawed by some of the big names in the squad.
“It’s really exciting, Brent Naden and Josh Addo-Carr and stuff bring you in and treat you like one of the close boys.
“It’s been pretty cool to mix in with them and have fun at training.”
Toia’s journey to Sydney
Toia’s potential would have seen him on the radars of NRL scouts from the beginning of the season.
After being entrusted with the coveted fullback jersey on Intrust Super Cup debut in Round 1 by coach Steve Bretherton, Toia’s speed and safe hands saw him become a fixture of the Magpies lineup in 2021.
The return of Broncos back Isaako saw Toia shift to the wing, where he displayed an ability to find the tryline.
All in all, the Logan City product enjoyed a successful debut season with the Souths Logan Magpies, playing in 17 matches in scoring nine tries and having several standout performances at fullback.
A positive start for the Magpies was capped off with a return to where it all began for Toia with a home final at Marsden State High School, in front of a crowd which included several of his friends and family.
Toia says it was great to play at the re-developed facilities at the ground where he honed his craft under the likes of current Rabbitohs NRL Development Coach Joe O’Callaghan and alongside future Magpies teammates Tesi Niu and Cruise Ten.
“Bretho (Magpies coach Steve Bretherton) took me aside and told me that we were playing at Marsden because he knew I went to school there.”
He says it was great to have football played at the venue, which has a widespread reputation for producing NRL talent.
“When I started there it was pretty much just a football field.
“Now, they’re fully decked out with ice baths, massage tables.”
Toia scored the opening try of a 30-24 win over the Townsville Blackhawks, which saw the team turn around a 24-12 half-time deficit.
While he won’t be at the Magpies this year, Creedence says he will be keeping in touch with how the boys back home go, as he chases his NRL dream.
MyNewsFeed.com.au will be fully covering the Magpies tilt the glory in 2022.
