‘I wasn’t pushed out’: Faitala-Mariner says controversial Bulldogs exit was his call
Raymond Faitala-Mariner claims his choice to leave Canterbury, just a year after being named club captain, to join St George Illawarra was his alone.
“They weren’t pushing me out the door at all,” Faitala-Mariner added. “Just this opportunity arose. I considered it, chatted with my boyfriend, family, and parents, and they all suggested that a change was in order. I heeded their counsel and am glad I did.
“Now that I was in camp with the Dragons this week, I can see why the change was needed.”
Faitala-Mariner, who had been with the Bulldogs for nearly a decade and had two years left on his contract, decided to start over. The transfer ended six months of uncertainty over his future, which began when this masthead disclosed he was on the outs at Belmore.
This change is significant for both parties. Faitala-Mariner will be one of the Dragons’ first acquisitions under new coach Shane Flanagan, while Canterbury no longer has any players from the top-30 squad announced in 2021.
“I’ve heard that a few times, and the boys text me, ‘You’re gone!'” “You were the last man standing.” Faitala-Mariner stated in his first interview after changing clubs.
“That’s football.” The club has a vision, and they must take the necessary steps to achieve it. If that is the way they are going, I am all for it. I have nothing but admiration and love for that group.
“Where I am in my profession, a change was required for me to potentially take my game to the next level.
“It saddens me to leave the club that I adore; Belmore is my second home. It was difficult to say goodbye and leave, but I had to consider the opportunities for myself and my future.
“That’s what I did: I put myself and my family first.
“I wish we had had some success when I was there. Hopefully, they perform well this year and in the years ahead.
“From the summer I spent there, it appears to be moving in that way. [Coach] Cameron Ciraldo is doing a wonderful job at the joint in terms of culture, and the standard he is setting is really high.
Faitala-Mariner’s final season with the Bulldogs was rough. He contracted pneumonia, was sidelined by a hamstring injury, and was finally allowed clearance to speak with other clubs in September. The 30-year-old was a noteworthy absentee when pre-season training began in November – “it was just a miscommunication,” he explained – sparking speculation that he was on the outs.
Faitala-Mariner’s final season with the Bulldogs was tough. He had pneumonia, was sidelined with a hamstring issue, and was finally cleared to negotiate with other clubs in September. The 30-year-old was noticeably absent when pre-season training began in November – “it was just a miscommunication,” he stated – fueling rumors that he was on his way out.
“There’s no malice towards the club from my end.”
“I’m not sure where it came from.” Whenever there were rumors in the media that they were shopping me around, I would always go to the coach, and Gus would be there at times, and they would give me their word that it wasn’t true and they didn’t know where it came from.
“I accepted their word for it, and that was that. There was nothing more or less; we just continued training.
“Going through difficult circumstances has prepared me for this year. It’s made me more robust and ready for whatever comes my way. “Nothing can break me.
There was also dispute over whether “RFM” is better suited to the front or back row, which is now up to Flanagan.When asked if he can return to the form that earned him the opportunity to represent New Zealand and Samoa, Faitala-Mariner replied: “I know you hear this a lot, but genuinely, and I mean this wholeheartedly, yes I can.
“Being at camp with the Dragons for a week has sparked something in me. Being in one place for an extended period of time might lead to complacency.
“The change was necessary for me.” Now that I’ve moved outside of my comfort zone and am testing the waters, I’m feeling exposed and vulnerable, which is exactly what I needed.
“Being in unfamiliar surroundings brings out the best in me. Being under Shane Flanagan, a seasoned premiership-winning coach, and the chats we’ve already had give me a lot of confidence.
“He’s making me feel like a priority, and when you make a player feel that way, he tells you to jump and you decide how high. “I’d run through a brick wall for that coach.”
