AT the age of 21 he was touted as the NRL’s next big star.

But in the space of a few short seasons Anthony Cherrington went from the $220,000 contract to three serious knee injuries and juggling fulltime employment and bush footy on the weekend.

Now 28, the former Roosters and Panthers forward has secured an NRL lifeline with South Sydney and ready to walk the comeback trail.

Accepting a one-year olive branch from Michael Maguire’s Rabbitohs, Cherrington is ready to relaunch his career.

Round 20

“I took all the money for granted when I was young,” Cherrington told foxsports.com.au.

“I’ve been at the bottom. I had nothing when I came out of school and now I’m back at square one and I can’t see why I can’t make it.

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Former Roosters coach Brian Smith talks with Anthony Cherrington. Source: News Limited

“It’s not about what I get (financially at Souths). I’m in the mind frame where I want the opportunity and I’ll show it’s make or break for me.

“I’m not going to waste it this time. It’s one year to give it a good ole dig.”

Cherrington made his NRL debut for the Roosters in 2008, earning a place in the New Zealand training squad that same season.

Then there was an off-field incident where he narrowly avoided jail time after pleading guilty to assault.

“I was this young dude straight from school and into the NRL system,” he recalled.

“I was training every day and what I was used to. I got my NRL debut which was everyone’s dream.

Anthony Cherrington goes down with an injury. Source: News Limited

“I was very comfortable and something like an injury or off field can come into your life and changes direction.

“I had a discrepancy off field and for the next two to three years it was a battle of injury and staying mentally focused on NRL.”

With his star on the rise, the Junior Kiwi representative hit his first snag, suffering a devastating knee injury which sidelined him for the entire 2010 season.

Two more ACL injuries later and his career stalled at 19 first grade games.

Anthony Cherrington training with Penrith. Source: News Limited

In three years he’d already seen the surgeon nine times.

In need of a fresh start, he moved to Penrith but failed to break into the top squad.

The following year Cherrington moved north and joined Brisbane’s Intrust Super Cup affiliate Redcliffe.

Gone were the days of the six figure deals and Cherrington was working as a development officer but with two children, Moses (5) and Christine (4), to support, he was so strapped for cash that he couldn’t take time off work to pursue a train and trail deal the Broncos.

“I couldn’t go because I couldn’t afford to miss one day of work,” he explained.

“I went to train with Redcliffe and the Brisbane crew told me to train and trial with them and I ended up telling them it was too hard to miss out on work.

Anthony Cherrington with kids CJ and Moses. Source: News Corp Australia

“If I was to take one thing out of my life it was going up to Redcliffe. It was the experience for me and my career.”

Now after three years of consistent footy and good form with the Dolphins, Cherrington had done enough for the Rabbitohs to take notice.

When the red and green first come calling, he thought he would be on a part-time deal and trialling for a spot but he secured a fulltime contract and was promised if he works hard, he’ll get the chance to write his next chapter.

That’s all he needs.

“Going to Brisbane I needed to learn being by myself and the worth of the dollar,” he admitted.

Anthony Cherrington at Broncos pre-season training. Source: News Corp Australia

“Being humbled and around the working class who play very professional football after work. I had to learn about that.

“I had to meet the right people. I have a wonderful missus. I have a good relationship with my kids and their mother. Everything is in place.

“I still have that itch and I need to know if I can still play NRL. I need to know.

“This is my craft. This is what I love doing and there’s no reason why I can’t stop doing what I love.”

Cherrington begins his return to the NRL this Tuesday as the Rabbitohs kick-off pre-season training with new faces Robbie Farah, Robert Jennings and Robbie Rochow.

This writer is on Twitter @Nath_Ryan

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