IT’S a normal day after training when Suaia Matagi opens his Facebook page.

There’s a notification telling him he has one unread message. The name doesn’t register with him but the face looks familiar.

His name is Tyrone and he’s just been released from a juvenile detention centre. He’s only 16.

It was a couple of months back that Matagi and two of his Eels teammates, Siosaia Vave and Bevan French, dropped by the facility to speak to the troubled youth.

Round 20

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL NOW trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

For a softly spoken man, Matagi can hold a room like few others. The teens hang off his every word.

When he speaks, he does so with feeling. He means every word he’s saying.

And it’s during this talk that the Eels prop strikes a chord with Tyrone.

So when he returns to his North Parramatta home determined to make better life choices, he reaches out to Matagi.

EELS’ BARGAIN BASEMENT GAMBLES THAT’S PAID OFF BIG TIME

Siosia Vave, Suaia Matagi and Mitch Moses of the Eels look on. Source: Getty Images

“He reached out to me a couple of months ago, so we’ve been spending some time,” Matagi told foxsports.com.au.

“I’m due to catch up with him for lunch. I’m happy with where he’s at now. He’s set goals and has a job and simple things like that, for someone who had no father, simple encouragement means a lot.

“Big ups to him. I’m very proud of him. He’s made huge steps. In the past kids never heard there was someone proud of them.”

On the field, Matagi is a wrecking ball. Off it, he’s humble and determined to make a difference.

It was a completely different case 15 years ago. Matagi dropped out of school at 14 and joined a gang.

Despite growing up in a loving household with both his mum and dad, alcohol abuse and gang violence consumed his life. It led to his incarceration.

As the story goes, Matagi served his time behind bars and used rugby league as a vehicle to get his life back on track.

Suaia Matagi of the Eels is tackled. Source: Getty Images

It’s thanks to his past that the former Kiwi international is so determined to change the lives of as many youths as he can. If he breaks through to one, all the time volunteering was worth it.

“I’ve come through it,” he said.

“Being the hope to some of these guys is something I’m passionate about. I like to give back to them. If I can just help the one, I’ve done my job.”

Without hesitation he sent Tyrone his mobile number and the pair started exchanging texts.

He learns Tyrone is being raised by a single mum and his father’s no longer in his life.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover break down the Des Hasler sacking and what it means for the Bulldogs. Plus what went wrong for the four finals losers.

You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.

Compelled to be a mentor, someone the teen can look up to, under Matagi’s guidance, Tyrone has made great strides.

“He called me and he told me he got a job and I was like ‘man, that’s huge’, especially for someone with his past,” Matagi said.

“In the past he would’ve went back (to prison) and found a way back in. It’s hard when you’re released. The key is helping them with the tools. Being wise about the time you hang out with your friends like in the morning or lunch time is safer than at the night.

Suaia Matagi playing Oztag games. Source: News Corp Australia

“It is hard with peer pressure. I’m just reminding him every choice has a consequence. If you make the wrong one, you’ll pay for it. I remind him that he’s better than that. He’s a good kid.”

The 29-year-old brought him to an Eels games earlier in the year.

What started as Matagi’s outlet, football has not only become his job but his example that hard work leads to rewards.

That’s the message he delivers when speaking in a PCYC or detention centre.

“Whenever I get the opportunity to spread the message of hope and inspire the young ones that dreams do come true, that helps me keep my mind off the field and keep the balance,” he said.

“I’ve been approached to go to the PCYC to do a talk and try and inspire the young ones. They don’t think anything is possible and that fits in well with what I’ve been through in the past.

EDWARDS BROKE AND ON FINAL NRL WARNING

“We’re fortunate to go in and to see the smile on the kids’ faces and spread the message that we all have a past but dreams do come true

“Giving that message to them is something so when they do get released, they don’t reoffend or give them something to aim for when they are released.”

But it’s not always Matagi doing the talking.

While he enjoys offering advice, the quietly spoken slab of muscle is also a great listener.

“We get the chance to sit down with them. We have an hour or two with them. We build with them and hear their stories. It’s pretty sad what they’ve gone through.

“The common one was having no father at home and not having a positive role model in their life.

“Drugs and alcohol were involved as well.”

Parramatta's Suaia Matagi at the Old Saleyards Reserve. Source: News Corp Australia

While the Eels’ season came to an end last week after an upset at the hand of North Queensland, Matagi’s off-field work puts the game into perspective.

He likens life to a game of rugby league.

“Just like in footy,” he said.

“You might knock the ball on but that’s the same thing as life. You make the errors and you learn from it and go again.

“That’s the basic message we try to pass to them.”

While the year might be over, his support of Tyrone continues. Unlike a season that ends, Matagi will continue to lend his support.

“I told him I’ll take him for lunch,” Matagi said.

“If I can just reach out to the one, I’d be more than happy to help. Seeing the things he’s come through, he needs to be rewarded for them.”