'Special' talent's new deal 'almost didn't happen'

1 year ago 81

Rabbitohs officials are delighted aft signing the youngster who stole the amusement astatine the caller Koori Knockout tournament.

A big of clubs were chasing 17-year-old half/five-eighth Shaqueil Saunders aft a video of an astonishing effort helium scored astatine the tourney went viral.

Saunders brought backmost memories of the legendary chip-and-chase king Phil Blake erstwhile helium did a small footwear implicit the defence with his close foot, followed by different with his left, to people a stunning effort for Combined Countries.

But for the Bunnies, snaring the Indigenous youngster astir didn't happen.

"They couldn't interaction Shaq contempt trying for respective days," said manager Gavin Orr, who had his ain troubles uncovering the youngster earlier signing him up.

"The recruitment officer, a scout and adjacent caput manager Jason Demetriou were trying to way him down for days without immoderate luck.

"They yet got clasp of him and present he's a Bunny."

While officials had occupation uncovering Saunders, chap Indigenous players did not.

Bulldogs flyer Josh Addo-Carr got clasp of him, arsenic did Souths champion Latrell Mitchell, who enactment the Bunnies onto his case.

Now the teen is driven 5 hours each way, 3 times a week, to Souths grooming by his parents from their location successful the Karuah Aboriginal Community, northbound of Newcastle.

"It's a agelong mode to the large metropolis and a monolithic taste change, but Souths are looking aft him well," Orr said.

"The nine has had plentifulness of superb young Aboriginal players down the years and we thought they would beryllium the champion fit.

"He is inactive young and volition play successful the SG Ball Cup adjacent play - but helium is simply a peculiar endowment and the nine are implicit the satellite to person him."

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