Cronulla forward Braden Hamlin-Uele has opened up on how the pending birth of his first child has inspired him throughout a challenging year on the field.
The 29-year-old was one of the most damaging players in the game over the last couple of seasons, however he has struggled to reach those heights throughout 2024.
Off-season knee surgery ensured the forward was on the backfoot from the season's outset and it has been a hard grind to catch up ever since.
While he was struggled on the field, Hamlin-Uele is thriving off the field, with his partner due to give birth to a baby boy in November.
It's the upcoming arrival that has allowed the forward to remain positive despite all the challenges this year.
Try by Braden Hamlin-Uele
"[My partner] has been massive for me," Hamlin-Uele said. "Without her I don't think I'd be able to come out the other side. She's been the rock. She was there when I was injured, helping me through everything.
"When we found out she was pregnant and expecting a baby, nothing mattered other than we're having a child. It puts things into perspective that footy isn't everything.
"It's a big part of my life but it isn't everything. I can have a bad day or a bad game, I go back home and there's someone that's going to need me and depend on me to help them stay alive.
"The main thing in my life is my partner and my baby that's on the way. It's made the balance of footy and life a lot clearer for me and I'm in a good place now."
Hamlin-Uele extends his stay in the Shire
Hamlin-Uele's rugby league journey has been a winding one that started at the North Queensland Cowboys in 2017.
He made the move south the following season, playing his first game for the Sharks in 2018.
It wasn't until 2019 that he became a regular fixture in the Cronulla first-grade team and Hamlin-Uele developed into a key figure in the side's run to the finals in 2022 and 2023.
This season, however, has been impacted by injuries and he's received limited minutes in seven NRL games.
Hamlin-Uele has spent time in reserve grade as he's attempted to work his way back to full fitness, playing five games for the Newtown Jets, including last week's 34-24 loss to the Knights while the Sharks had the bye.
The forward is back in the top flight this week and is slated to come off the bench in Saturday's clash with the Cowboys in Townsville.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Cowboys
5th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Hamlin-Uele's struggles come amid a competitive battle for positions inside the Sharks forward pack with Tom Hazelton and Oregon Kaufusi setting the tone up front.
It's competition, he said, that has made him even more determined to solidify his position in the team.
"I'm doing the best I can off the field to make sure I'm in the team regularly," Hamlin-Uele said. "This year we've all seen the depth we have in our forwards.
"Tuku [Hau Tapuha] is dominating NSW Cup and charging every time he comes into the NRL. We've got Toby [Rudolph] coming back playing well. Tommy and Oregon started the year off mad and Royce [Hunt] has finally become the Royce we've always thought we had and is causing mayhem every time he's on the field.
"We've got forwards who are willing to die for our team on the field. It's hard getting in there and I will do whatever I need to get into the NRL team."
Hamlin-Uele isn't the first footballer to recognise how the prospect of becoming a dad can trigger a complete change in perspective.
Hamlin-Uele's tackle on Thompson voted best of the round
Multiple players have spoken in the past of how parenthood opens your eyes to the bigger picture and enables you to play for a cause bigger than just yourself.
Sharks teammate Briton Nikora is a father of three boys and said they keep him grounded on the good days and lift him up on the bad days.
"When you're not too happy with your game or you've lost a couple in a row, you come back home and they're just there," Nikora told pan66.com.
"They don't care if you played well or played bad, they just know you're there and brighten up the mood."
Hamlin-Uele is excited to become a dad, but knows he has a job to do on the field first.
The Sharks started the year on fire but have struggled throughout the middle of the campaign. Saturday's clash with his former club provides an opportunity to solidify their place in the top four before the final six weeks of the season.
The pain of straight sets finals defeats in the past two years is driving Cronulla in the run to the post-season and Hamlin-Uele is determined to play a key role in helping his side bury past demons.
"I know when I'm at my best I can be top tier," he said. "I just need to get out there and do it. There's no more time for excuses. We've got seven games left so it's coming around pretty fast.
"If I don't do my best off the field to get my best on the field then I'm going to miss out on all the highs and I can only blame myself for that. I'm going to be looking forward to not doing that and just be me."
