A teenage Francis Tualau didn't know Des Hasler all those years ago. Didn't know who he was bringing with him, or who was going in lieu of him. How long he would still be away from home, trying to earn a junior contract somewhere. Anywhere. So he said no to the Bulldogs.
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But once he found out down the track about Hasler, he wouldn't say no again. Not this time.
"That was when Des and the whole [change] of coaching staff happened," said the 23-year-old rookie, set to make his NRL debut on Saturday night, of his sliding-doors moment at Belmore.
"When [Hasler's staff] came in I didn't know who their recruitment manager was and we had to retrial and go through everything. I didn't see another year of going through the whole system where I was away from home [was right].
"Lucky I moved back home to Melbourne. I look back at it now and it was a good move for me. I became a footballer. [But] I thought it was the end of it [at the time]. And here I am now."
Standing in front of Hasler and a patched-together Bulldogs about to make an NRL debut probably not many thought possible.
From Tonga via Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne the Tualau story - complete with a Sam Kasiano-type slim down over summer - has taken a little bit of perseverance.
The eldest of seven children - his father has 11 brothers and sisters - Tualau knows a big family. And is creating one too.
At 23 he already has three children, fathering his first one at "about 16". And the one NRL game - set to come for the Bulldogs against a similarly decimated Sharks - means the sacrifices will all be worth it.
"It has been [a learning experience], but also very challenging," Tualau said of fatherhood. "I had to mature at a young age and couldn't do the things all kids these days do like partying. I was at home looking after the kids. I wanted to show my kids a role model and give them someone to look up to.
"In New Zealand there's just one team and 10,000 kids fighting for that one spot. I had to move out of home. It was a sacrifice and living in Australia where I had more opportunity [has paid off]."
Tualau has been added to a Bulldogs pack lacking the starch of NSW stars David Klemmer and Josh Jackson for the trip to the home of the high-flying premiers, themselves missing four representative players.
He sought Melbourne and the Storm's flawless system under Craig Bellamy as a chance to create an impression during the State of Origin player drain. Only it has eventually happened at the Bulldogs.
"Every second week I was 18th man, but last year I thought it was my year where I was going to get a shot," Tualau said. "To be a part of the club and see how successful they are [was great].
"The Bulldogs are just as successful and I'm glad to be here and this week go all the way and make my debut."
