After being stood down for driving while unlicensed, winger Gideon Gela-Mosby credits his successful return to the Cowboys to club legend Johnathan Thurston leading a strong support network that was determined to see him through his toughest moments.
The culmination of his efforts to get his off-field life right showed against the Broncos last Thursday when he scored the opening try in the upset win.
"It's a good feeling, I was pretty stoked about it and I'm looking forward to playing again," Gela-Mosby said.
"I had a bit of stuff off-field that I needed to address, I got some help and I'm grateful for the help I got and that helped me back to where I am now."
One of the key people who helped Gela-Mosby get back on track was Thurston, the co-captain acknowledging his own past was far from spotless.
"I'm no saint," the winner of the Australian Human Rights Medal said.
While Thurston would not disclose the exact words spoken to Gela-Mosby, but said the conversations were about making sure the young flyer was happy off the field before getting him back onto the field.
All Stars to return next February
"There were personal conversations that we've had, he's got a bright future in front of him and it's all about putting things in place to help him with life outside of football," Thurston said.
"The leadership group and the old heads that we have here are very accessible to the younger boys, they're not shy in coming up and having a chat to the boys if anything is on their plate."
Thurston acknowledged it was OK for players to make mistakes, as long as they learned from them, as he has done in the past.
"He's very grateful for the opportunity he's got in front of him and he needs to grab it with both hands."
Gela-Mosby is eager to maintain his good off-field attitude so he can remain a part of an organisation that supports its members.
It's all about putting things in place to help him with life outside of football.
Johnathan Thurston
"It's what you want, people helping out and seeing that they want you to get to where you want to be," the winger said.
"People helping out just like that shows that they care and that's why I love having people around like that in my life."
"I'd like to thank the staff and especially the players that have been helping me out."
