Souths Logan Magpies sign Mitch Frei
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New Souths-Logan signing Mitchell Frei spent just one year at the Sydney Roosters but the lessons he learned will stay with him forever and be of benefit at his new club.
The 26-year-old back-rower, who played seven NRL games for the Roosters in 2016, has left Wynnum-Manly Seagulls to join the Magpies for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season.
The lure of financial riches are not why players go to Souths-Logan though. The club epitomises the blue-collar values of hard work and sacrifice.
There are no "stars" at the Magpies, but that should suit Frei who said the Roosters were "a club and a place where everyone helps everyone".
"The way the Roosters is set up everyone goes out of their way to make sure you know what is going on with the team and the structures and every single player will give you their opinion and advice if you need to work on something," Frei told NRL.com.
"Trent Robinson is one of the smartest coaches I have ever come across ... so it was an unreal experience for me and I learned things that I will carry with me for my entire footy career."
Souths-Logan coach Jon Buchanan, who has coached Frei when he was at Wynnum, said the new recruit's insights into how the NRL premiers do business would be invaluable.
"Mitchell came back from the Roosters a more rounded player and he took a lot out of it on and off the field, and we'll look to tap into a little bit of that," Buchanan told NRL.com.
"I've already spoken to him about a few things on the footy side of that we can introduce to our club. We'd be silly if we didn't."
Frei, who works full-time as a roofer, has left Wynnum-Manly Seagulls on good terms. He said it was "a lifestyle decision" to join the Magpies and the opportunity to link up again with his mentor Buchanan, was too good to pass up.
"He understands what I need to do to play my best football and to keep my work/life balance on track. Getting the balance right at my age is important and I think JB and the club will help me do that," Frei said.
"Souths-Logan are one of those clubs where you don't go there for the pay cheque. You go there because you want to be a part of it. It is a club with a reputation for having players who want to work hard and want to be there, so for me to be a part of that is quite exciting.
"I enjoyed my time at Wynnum and it is a club I still love, but now I'm looking forward to getting involved with all the Souths supporters and making the most of my time there."
It was an unreal experience for me and I learned things that I will carry with me for my entire footy career
Mitchell Frei on his time at Sydney Roosters
Buchanan is a mate of Wynnum-Manly coach Adam Brideson and the two discussed Frei's move prior to him signing with Souths-Logan.
"Money was the last thing we spoke about when we signed him. It was all about a change for him," Buchanan said.
"Mitchell is low maintenance and just gets on with it. He is a blue-collar style of footballer and that is pretty much what we are as a club.
"We were crying out for an edge back-rower who can run a decent line. He has played Queensland Residents and there will be a respect from our young guys for what he's been able to do."
The Queensland Rugby League has released the 2019 draw for the Intrust Super Cup with Frei and his fellow Magpies to host the CQ Capras in round one at Davies Park.
The QRL, after consultation with the clubs, has changed the finals format for 2019 which will result in a top eight finals series being played instead of a top six which was previously in place.
