It was the moment that forever changed the life of Newcastle Knights hard-man Pauli Pauli.
Involved in an unfortunate car crash earlier this year – one that very nearly ended in disaster – the towering Knights forward says things have been put into perspective after a tough start to the year off the field.
“Before the accident, I didn’t enjoy going to training, I’d eat too much. I had put a lot of weight on. Every morning at training seemed a chore.
Enduring months of a gruelling recovery process and time away from the field, the 22-year-old now bears a smile that reflects an inherent change of mind.
The bangs and bruises picked up on the field seen only as minor knocks, the ‘pain’ of a loss nothing more than a passing blow.
It’s a shift mindset that runs deep within the Knights squad, and one that has been reflected in their on-field efforts this season.
“Win or lose, every week we enjoy our football,” he says.
“Coming from last year, we didn’t win many games, but this year a few little things have changed. We’re all training hard, working hard, and that’s showing.
Pauli will line-up for the Newcastle Knights in their Intrust Super Premiership NSW clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Cessnock on Saturday.