sport, local-sport

IT was the phone call that changed his life. Playing for the South Sydney Rabbitoh’s feeder club, North Sydney, Michael Bani was on the outside. He was one of the eldest at the club and despite a gruelling pre-season, he was not getting game time. With 40 odd NRL games under his belt and at only 29-years of age, you would think the man who once had his own ‘Bani Army’ at Manly would be able to make a squad playing in the NSW Cup. But there was a lot more going on. He was struggling to prove himself against young NRL bound talent being rushed into the system. The signing of former Queensland representative Lote Tuqiri to the club then made the fight even harder. He was training across town up to five nights a week which made it difficult to find time for his young family and more importantly, for himself. Then the call came. It was Mick Picker, captain and coach of the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs and close mate of Bani’s from their time at the Mounties. He was calling to see if Bani was interested in playing for Goulburn… “He knew my situation and knew I could play fullback. So when he called me and asked if I wanted to play for Goulburn I didn’t hesitate. I said yes straight away,” Bani said. That moment, Bani said, “was the best decision I’ve ever made.” While some may not understand his decision to commit to a team more than 200kms away, the reasons for Bani were as clear as day. “It’s like a blessing,” he said. “We’ve been waiting three years for this. “The dynamics of the club and the enjoyment I’m getting is exactly what I’m after. It’s just a bunch of boys you enjoy playing footy with and have a beer with after. Six months on and the decision has subsequently turned his life around. Although he travels further, he spends more time with his wife and four young children while still playing competitive football. “I’ve never enjoyed my footy more,” he said. “My time in North Queensland [at the Cowboys] was hard. I was away from my family, I also had no family at all up there and I felt alone a lot of the time. “But playing in Goulburn, we have a lot of extended family down here in the area so it means for my wife, we actually get to visit family more often. “The kids also come along for Goulburn games and they absolutely love coming down.” On field, things are changing too. For Mick Picker the inclusion of Bani has a number of positives. “I’d say a fair bit of our success this season will be helped by him being there,” Picker said. “He’s the sort of bloke where you can throw him into a situation and he’ll handle it. “Not only that, but he’s a big help to me. When he has something to say you listen. “He’s also one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet. I remember his first training session; the boys all got around him and by the end of it he just about knew everyone’s name.” Every Thursday Bani makes the long commute from his Eastern Sydney home for training. For games held in Canberra, he flies over, helped through his job working with Qantas. “It kind of gives it a sense of adventure,” Bani said. “At the end of the day you have to go back and tell yourself to enjoy your footy. You ask yourself is it worth it? “I’ll be honest it’s still my goal to play in the NRL. “You never know with Goulburn, someone from the Raiders, or the Panthers may be watching and say gee he’s had a good game”.

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