Speaking to Sandor Earl at the airport as he waits to fly back to Canberra in preparation for his biggest week in the NRL, it’s easy to hear the satisfaction in his voice.
Not to be out done by Bulldog Krisnan Inu, Earl is another successful benefactor from a mid-season trade.
Just 12 weeks ago things were looking glum for Earl. His then side, the Penrith Panthers, were struggling to string together a win, and captain Luke Lewis had called it quits on the club.
In what can now only be described as a lifeline, Earl was approached by Raiders coach David Furner, who convinced the 22-year-old to take a chance and be part of a potentially threatening squad.
“For me coming across it was a breath of fresh air, everyone was enthusiastic considering where they were on the ladder,” he told me.
Raised in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the former junior Paddington Tiger’s switch to the Panthers in 2010 from the Sydney Roosters did little to showcase the winger’s talents, and early this season he faced even more challenges.
“I came off a hard year last year, I had two shoulder reconstructions and had no pre-season as well as new coaching staff. I knew it was going to be tough.”
Often regarded as the male model who plays rugby league on the side, Earl is finally proving himself to his critics.
His hat-trick against the Bulldogs added to his scoring tally, with five tries already for the club in only ten appearances.
But Sunday’s clash against the Warriors, which saw the Raiders almost lose a home semi-final advantage, was a wake-up call.
Down 16 points in the first half, the Raiders fought their way back to claim victory with a 42-22 thrashing of the bleak Warriors.
“Playing the Warriors was really a game of two halves, but you just have to look at last week (defeating the Bulldogs), it was a big game against a big team.
“If we turn up and just put the Sharks under pressure for 80 mins, everyone has seen the Raiders at our best, and [we’re] pretty hard to beat.”
Soon after his move to Canberra, Earl stated his goal for 2012 was simply to “make the finals with the Raiders.” In his first week playing finals footy, it’s clear to see reality is still yet to kick in.
“It’s exciting, it probably still hasn’t sunk in, it’s all still so surreal, I’m just enjoying the ride. When I got here I think we were 15th and now we have ended up sixth, it’s pretty crazy how things work out.”
So what is it about packing up and moving three hours away that sparked such passion for his new club?
“All the boys are great, it’s a young team and I gelled really quickly and in Canberra you do get a chance to focus a bit more on your footy.”
In what is expected to be a sell-out crowd this Sunday, the Raiders will host the Cronulla Sharks in a sudden-death match.
This has hardly been an easy road for the Green Machine, a side where injury has ravaged them all season. The likes of key playmaker Terry Campese and Josh Dugan have been missing for large parts of the season.
However things are on the up and up. Halfback Sam Williams is set to return from a shoulder injury and fingers are crossed that Dugan takes the field after he rolled his ankle in training last week.
To think that Earl could right now be recovering from a Panthers Mad Monday. Instead, ‘Dor is set to ride the wave and count his blessings.
“It’s funny, most times when something like that happens (injuries), there is something around the corner which is good, and this is a really great one.”
A true believer of working hard for your success and chasing your dreams, odds are that Earl’s finals experience could possibly see him through to next week. Initially contracted until the end of the 2013 season, an extension to see out 2014 is in the pipeline.
“Everything has fallen our way and hopefully it will continue over the next four weeks. I can’t wait for the weekend.”
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