NICHOLS REBUILDS NRL DREAM AFTER INJURY

7th January 2010 | Nambucca Guardian News | by Jessica Welsh | Back to Full List of Articles

The past five years have been a rollercoaster ride of success, loss and promise for Nambucca Heads rugby league hopeful Greg Nichols.
After leading the Roosters Under 18s side to a grand final victory in 2005, Nichols worked his way up the football ladder successfully playing for Under 20s sides in clubs such as St George and North Sydney Bears, until he landed a contract with his dream team, the Parramatta Eels in late 2008.

“When I first when to the Eels it was amazing,” Nichols said.

“It was who I’d wanted to play for all my life – I grew up following the Eels, so it was like a dream come true to be a part of the club.”

From growing up idolising football stars like Nathan Hindmarsh, Jarryd Hayne and Brett Finch, to then training with them was an experience Nichols said he would not forget easily.

“I just felt like a really lucky fan who was allowed to train and hang out in the sheds with them.”

“Once I got to know the guys they taught me a lot – there are some really nice guys behind those football heros, they are dads and family men.”

However, Nichols soon found his dream turned into a nightmare when he was struck down by a groin injury early on in the season.

“I had to take 10 weeks off football and everything just seemed to fall apart,” Nichols said.

It was a hard decision to make, but Nichols was left with little choice but to leave his beloved Eels and head back to the North Sydney Bears to save his football season.

“It was devastating to leave, especially when you get so close to making it in something that is your total dream and then to fall so far, it is really devastating,” Nichols said.

However, he is not dwelling on the negative, instead he is focusing on recovering from groin surgery and working on his basic fitness to get back in the game for the 2010 season with the North Sydney Bears.

He has his sights set on moving to the South Sydney Rabbitohs Club, which had offered him a contract in the past.

“There are some good opportunities at South Sydney next season for backs, they are looking a little ‘top heavy’,” Nichols said.

But for the moment he is enjoying being home with family and friends.

“I like coming home and seeing what has changed,” Nichols said.

“It is good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

“You don’t realise how much you miss the place until you come home,” Nichols said.