PNG rugby league star David Mead is back in the NRL and still harbouring dreams of a maiden premiership ring.
David Mead spent three years with Catalans Dragons. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 32 year old reached the Super League semi finals with the Catalans Dragons last season but is is still to play in a grand final after 12 years in first grade.
The Port Moresby born utility back enjoyed his three years in France but said the global pandemic made him reassess what was best for his family.
"The last six months of my contract there with the whole Covid thing and uncertainty around rugby league and seeing that the NRL was being played over here it made me think about my future and making me think I really want to play in the NRL."
Mead made his first grade debut in 2009 and scored 70 tries in 159 NRL games for the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos before trying his luck in the Northern Hemisphere.
The father of two is back with the Broncos for 2021 and has been named to start on the wing in tonight's season opener against the Parramatta Eels.
"My first goal getting here was to play first grade," he said.
"That's been made possible now this weekend so from now on it's just about playing consistently every week, going out and giving my best every week and doing my job for the team week-in and week-out."
David Mead played eight seasons for the Gold Coast Titans. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Broncos proved to be consistently bad in 2020 as they finished with bottom of the competition standings for the first time in the club's history.
But Mead insists the players are not dwelling on the past and are excited to start afresh under club legend Kevin Walters and his former Titans boss John Cartwright.
He's looking forward to playing alongside Tevita Pangai Junior, Corey Oates and Matt Lodge once again, from his first stint at the Broncos in 2017.
But the veteran of three Rugby League World Cups is also to take the field with a couple of rising Pacific Island stars who are primed to shine at the 2021 tournament in England.
Xavier Coates scored a try on his State of Origin debut for Queensland. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Tesi Niu is one of them and Xavier Coates is the other. I'm really enjoying be out on the training paddock with them and I look forward to going out and playing with them this weekend.
"It's always exciting seeing a young talent coming through, especially Xavier because he's a talent but his attitude towards training: how hard he trains, he does his extras and he's very positive about that, which is even more exciting to see, on top of what he can do."
David Mead captained PNG at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Photo: NRL Photos 2017
Mead is keen to pull on the Kumuls jersey again later this year and expects Coates, who was born in Port Moresby, will be in high demand after starring for Queensland during last year's State of Origin.
"Hopefully he does play for the Kumuls but he's in contention for Origin - obviously he played last year - so I wouldn't be surprised if Australia picked him in the team."
Mead is also hopeful he can be reunited with his extended family in PNG in the near future.
He last visited Port Moresby during the Kumuls historic win over Great Britain 16 months ago and still isn't sure when he'll be able to return.
"I try and get back as much as I can but obviously with the whole Covid situation it's a bit hard because if I was to go over there it's a two week quarantine there and then a two week quarantine coming home.
"I'll probably have to wait and see until those things settle down but hopefully it's sooner rather than later so we can see the family and play some footy over there as well."
Until then there's a brand new NRL season to get stuck into. And the never-ending dream of lifting the Provan-Summons Trophy.
"Before I played NRL my goal was to play one game and then it went to play 50 games to 100 games.
"It keeps going and going - you keep setting new goals - but obviously I haven't got a premiership yet, so i want to keep playing as long as I can until i get that ring on my finger."