Ethan Bullemor loved rugby league so much as a child, his family inadvertently broke the rules to get him in the field.
“I remember, (my parents) tried to sign me up when I was five, and I think I played about three games and (then) they told me they could only register you if you were six... so they kicked me out halfway through the season and I remember crying for weeks... I couldn’t believe it,” Bullemor said.
“Dad and mum were trying to console me, but I was a five-year-old and all I wanted to do was keep playing footy and they booted me out halfway through the year.
“But I think I was the size of a nine-year-old anyways.
“Since I could walk, I was in Broncos jerseys and Queensland jerseys, so to sort of be on the path to fulfilling some of those paths to me is really pleasing.”
It is no wonder then that the powerful forward – who grew up in Springsure, a small town outside of Emerald – ended up playing rugby league at the highest level, with his childhood dream coming true in Round 2 this year when he made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos.
A club he loved growing up; the experience was not quite what he had envisioned, given it occurred in the early throes of the COVID-19 shutdown, but he was grateful for the experience.
“That was the week that they cancelled the competition... Round 2, they just implemented the bans on crowds... obviously it was bittersweet – Dad was in Brisbane, he watched it at a pub, so tried to still make the effort to make it feel special, you know,” Bullemor said.
“But he got to a game later on in the year when crowds were allowed that I was playing in; so that obviously felt good being able to run out in front of him, I know he was very proud, he’s a proud Broncos supporter too.
“It wasn’t the dream debut you dream of, but on the day at least we got a win on that day, and it’s a memory I am not ever going to forget.”
In a season which saw five players make their NRL debuts with the club, Bullemor was especially happy to see his good friend Cory Paix step out in a Broncos jersey.
Both played in various Queensland representative sides growing up; and they also won the Hastings Deering Colts competition with Norths Devils in 2018 – a moment Bullemor said was “one of my best footy memories to be honest, right up there".
“We had a team full of boys who had all come through together and had really good friendships, and to win that, that was great,” Bullemor said.
“One very special moment for me (this season) though I would have to say was getting to (play) alongside my best mate Cory, Paixy, in Round 4 against the Roosters... I was there for that, I was at his debut, that would have been my third game.
“From him and I, that was one of those gem moments, a gem of a moment that you can take out of a pretty down year; we have known each other since we were 12 and we have been in the Broncos program since we were 12, so to get to run out next to him; that was another really special moment.”
For Bullemor, who this year continued to juggle his university studies in finance and economics, the 2020 season was also an education in itself. But like most other NRL players, he was grateful to be able to train and play, but bubble life was undoubtedly a challenge.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster (year) I guess, (one) I would still describe for me as obviously, pretty exciting, I ticked off lifelong goals of debuting and playing for the club that I loved growing up; so that was massive for me; but I do think it was a really tough year, both for the club and for the NRL in general," Bullemor said.
“I think we ended up doing seven-odd months doing near enough to complete lock-down – that took a big toll on everyone.
“Obviously it was a pandemic; but having your freedom taken away in a sense, it was pretty rough for a lot of the boys; not being able to see family members, not being able to go and get a coffee; it really stripped life back to the bare basics; but in saying that, we got to keep playing and we got to keep our jobs.
“It was tough, but rewarding year.”
Ethan Bullemor - genius speedster
With the Intrust Super Cup competition called off due to COVID-19, that added another element of adversity for players who were pushing their case to earn a spot in the team each week.
“If we were not playing on the weekend, we’d have a top-up conditioning session which obviously wasn’t much fun, but just what you had to do to try and put yourself in the best position to play if you were called upon,” Bullemor said.
“To be honest, for me it was a massive struggle; because fitness and training, that’s important, but you never quite replicate the game fitness and the match fitness you get.
“Sometimes for me, it was a bit of a physical challenge because for me, I think I had maybe five or six weeks between games with no footy – obviously doing conditioning and doing the best you can – but you still obviously suffer a bit from that and to jump straight into that level, it’s tough.
“It probably really highlighted the importance of how much you need those competitions and how much you miss it.
“For me, I was lucky, I got a reasonable number of games to keep me busy, but there were some boys who turned up every week and didn’t get a shot all year, young boys or boys battling with rehab or injuries.
“To me, I think that’s a massive display of character from everyone to turn up every week and do those gruelling sessions of a Friday or a Saturday where you were towelled up by the conditioning staff for an hour, it’s a pretty grim situation sometimes.”
As the saying goes, pressure builds diamonds, and there is no escaping the fact the team had a poor year by their own standards, despite their best efforts.
Bullemor was honest about the season that was and understood how important the performances of the team were to the club’s many supporters.
“I wouldn’t shy away from that criticism, I agree, we are a proud club, that’s a club I grew up loving, we are winners, and that’s what we all want to be, I don’t think it’s bad for us to be held to a high standard, because I think we should hold ourselves to a high standard,” Bullemor said.
“I guess that’s the only way you can look at it, it’s been a tough year, it’s been a challenging year; but I think everyone just has to do their part to commit to firstly making sure it doesn’t happen again and just all getting better.
“A lot of boys probably stepped up (this year) and a lot of boys had to step up – I hope the club will be better for it and I hope all of us boys will be as well.”
Bullemor was also hoping to add to his tally of eight games next season, having never expected to play this many matches in his debut year as an NRL player.
“I had set myself on playing NRL this year, I was confident I could do that, I wanted to back myself that I could do that, but reflecting on it, I probably didn’t expect to have played eight games; eight out of 20; I don’t think I would have expected that at the start of the year.
“I think every game you get under your belt; with every game I felt myself get a bit more comfortable out there and learning to relax more and playing to your strengths and go about your game.
“Obviously for me, you get that taste of NRL and I just don’t want to not be in there anymore; for me (next season), it’ll be about putting myself in the position to play every week, I think for me that’s a goal I have to set myself.
“I just want to aim to be out on the field in a Broncos jersey every week and I will do everything I can to make that happen and then do the club proud and do our fans and supporters proud.”
QRL 2019 to NRL 2020
Ethan Bullemor
- 2019 - Last season, Bullemor was a strong performer for Norths Devils, playing in 21 games and scoring seven tries. The Central Queensland junior made 57 tackle breaks and 320 tackles.
- 2020 - Bullemor made his NRL debut in Round 2 in Brisbane's win against South Sydney Rabbitohs. Playing in eight games throughout the NRL season, Bullemor started the year with Norths in the Intrust Super Cup, featuring in their Round 1 win over Mackay Cutters.
Cory Paix
- 2019 – featuring in 17 games for the Redcliffe Dolphins – Paix, who can play as a hooker or a half – was a key performer for the side, scoring five tries and producing seven try assists. The former Western Mustangs Mal Meninga Cup winning captain was also selected to lead the Queensland Under 20 side.
- 2020 – Paix began season 2020 with Souths Logan Magpies, featuring in their close loss to the PNG Hunters. After he made his NRL debut in Round 4 against Sydney Roosters, Paix played in 12 further games and scored a try in the close Round 15 loss to St George Illawarra Dragons.
Xavier Coates
- 2019 – it was an extraordinary 2019 for the young Bronco who started the season in the Tweed Seagulls Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup team. After winning both the state and national titles with the side, Coates debuted in the club’s Intrust Super Cup side and scored two tries in his two games. Coates made his NRL debut in Round 16 and played in three games for the Broncos. He also featured in the Queensland Under 18 team and the PNG Kumuls.
- 2020 – Coates played for Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup, scoring two tries in the side’s win over Sunshine Coast Falcons. The speedy back played in five games for the Broncos in season 2020 and crossed for five tries. He was also named in the Queensland Maroons extended squad.
Herbie Farnworth
- 2019 – the English flyer featured in 16 games for Norths Devils, crossing for 20 tries and kicking 62 goals with an average 136.30 run metres. Farnworth made his NRL debut with the Broncos in Round 16 and played in two games overall last season for the club.
- 2020 – one of Brisbane’s most consistent performers all season, Farnworth played in 19 games, scoring six tries and kicking three goals. Earlier this year, Farnworth was also added to the England squad to prepare for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Tesi Niu
- 2019 – the livewire back played 14 games for the Magpies in the Intrust Super Cup last season, crossing for six tries. He made six line breaks and produced one try assist. Niu played a number of representative fixtures as well, starring for the Queensland Under 18 side as well as representing Tonga in the World Cup Nines and in a Test match against Great Britain.
- 2020 – the teen sensation debuted for the Broncos in Round 4 against the Roosters and played six games overall before succumbing to a wrist injury which required surgery. At the start of the season, Niu played with the Magpies in their Round 1 loss to PNG Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup.
Jesse Arthars
- 2019 – the talent back played nine games with the Burleigh Bears last season and had a fantastic try-scoring strike rate, crossing for eight tries. Arthars also played 12 games for Gold Coast Titans and scored two tries.
- 2020 – after signing with the Brisbane Broncos and moving across from the Titans, Arthars – who was designated to play with Wynnum Manly Seagulls this year – featured in six games for the Broncos and ran in one try.
Sean O’Sullivan
- 2019 – last season, the halfback played in 13 games for Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup where he scored six tries and kicked four goals. O’Sullivan also produced 10 try assists. After playing in five matches for the Brisbane Broncos, the former Rooster produced two try assists.
- 2020 – this season, O’Sullivan returned to the NRL after recovering from an ACL injury suffered last year. He played in three games for the Broncos this season and had one try assist.
Tyson Gamble
- 2019 – Gamble returned to Redcliffe midway through the season last year and made an immediate impact, featuring in nine wins from his 11 games. During that time, he kicked 49 goals and two field goals.
- 2020 – this year, Gamble kicked five goals in Redcliffe’s Round 1 Intrust Super Cup win over Sunshine Coast Falcons. This year also saw his return to the NRL, where he played two games for the Broncos after previously featuring for West Tigers in 2018.
Richard Kennar
- 2019 – a XXXX Queensland Residents representative in 2019, Kennar was a strong performer for Wynnum Manly Seagulls last year, playing in eight games and scoring a try. He also ran for a total on 832 metres in his Intrust Super Cup games. Kennar also played in two games for Brisbane Broncos where he made a total of 198 run metres.
- 2020 – after starting out the year with the Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup, Kennar then featured in 10 games for the Broncos in the NRL where he scored three tries and made four line breaks.
Tom Dearden
- 2019 – after playing in five great games for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2019 where he kicked 12 goals, produced two try assists and forced three drop out; Dearden made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in Round 8 against South Sydney Rabbitohs. Overall, he played in five NRL games.
- 2020 – Dearden pulled on the white and black jersey for Souths Logan Magpies in Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup, scoring a try in the close loss to PNG Hunters. Dearden returned to the NRL in Round 7 against Gold Coast Titans and played in 12 games this season, as well as scoring a try.
Rhys Kennedy
- 2019 – following a mid-season switch from the South Sydney Rabbitohs where he played two games; Kennedy added to his NRL tally by playing seven games for the Broncos. The forward also played two games for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup where he made 11 tackle breaks.
- 2020 – Kennedy featured in 13 games for Brisbane in season 2020 where he scored his first NRL try. During the season, he made 254 tackles and had four tackle breaks.
Jamil Hopoate
- 2019 – in his 19 games for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup last year, Hopoate scored three tries and made 462 tackles. He also ran for 3081 metres overall, putting him in the top 10 for the season.
- 2020 – Hopoate made his NRL debut for the Broncos in Round 1 this year against the North Queensland Cowboys. Overall this season, the powerful second rower played in 12 games of NRL.
Jake Turpin
- 2019 – After making his debut with the club in 2018, Turpin play 15 games for the Broncos in 2019 and scored three tries. The talented rake also played six games for Redcliffe Dolphins and scored a try. He also had two try assists and made 168 tackles.
- 2020 – it was an injury riddled 2020 season for the talented hooker, but he was still able to feature in six for the Broncos this year and cross for a try. He produced a try assist in his time on the field and made 240 across his games.
Jordan Riki
- 2019 – featuring in 15 games for Norths Devils in the 2019 season, the big back rower score three tries in the Intrust Super Cup and made one line break.
- 2020 – it was a big year for the youngster who played for the Maori side in the NRL All Stars fixture in February. He played in the opening round of the Intrust Super Cup for Norths Devils and debuted in the NRL for the Broncos in Round 14, impressing during his five games for the club this season. Riki scored a try against minor premiers Penrith Panthers in Round 17 and ended the season by starting the match in the second row against North Queensland Cowboys, playing the full 80 minutes.
Patrick Carrigan
- 2019 - Carrigan played a three games with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup, before making his NRL debut in Round 5 and earning a reputation as a the hand-working forward with the Broncos, featuring in 19 games.
- 2020 - a leader at the Broncos where he was appointed stand-in captain, the junior Queensland representative played in 19 games and was rewarded for his efforts all season with the joint player of the year award for the club; as well as being named in the Queensland Maroons extended squad.
More QRL 2019 to NRL 2020
Gold Coast Titans - Jimmy Lenihan
