Joey Leilua #226

[Cultured_Bogan]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

 

[JD Tiger]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

 

[cochise]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

Living away from family and being limited in the number of people you can see and associate with is likely to effect the mental health and focus of most people.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

That applies not just to BJ but also his wife & children
It’s easy for some to criticize the mental state and say suck it up. It takes a toll in a variety of ways. I’m experiencing this first hand at the moment.

His allegiance is to his family then to the Tigers not the other way. It’s only a friggen footy game.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

Who cares & why do we need to know?

What’s to say it wasn’t BJ but more his family situation.

If he & his wife want privacy they should be given it.

 

[jirskyr]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

Agreed and also, most people aren't watched by several hundred thousand people when they go about their job. So for other workers who might live away from home from periods, yeah it's tough, but then you add the constant scrutiny of being a professional footballer, it's an added level of stress.

 

[cochise]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

Agreed and also, most people aren't watched by several hundred thousand people when they go about their job. So for other workers who might live away from home from periods, yeah it's tough, but then you add the constant scrutiny of being a professional footballer, it's an added level of stress.

And especially this year with them having virtually no contact with the outside world. They are still in a lockdown, so they spend all their time at training, the games or at home. That is no way to live.

 

[jirskyr]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

Agreed and also, most people aren't watched by several hundred thousand people when they go about their job. So for other workers who might live away from home from periods, yeah it's tough, but then you add the constant scrutiny of being a professional footballer, it's an added level of stress.

And especially this year with them having virtually no contact with the outside world. They are still in a lockdown, so they spend all their time at training, the games or at home. That is no way to live.

Did you read the Brett Morris comments today, he said he's dying to get out of the bubble and rejoin the real world. His comments were in relation to Origin 2020 being after the GF.

 

[cochise]

Living away from home for employment for significant periods does wonders for anyone with predispositions to mental illness, or even those who don't.

Seclusion, coping mechanisms in substance abuse, working and living with the same people (some of which you can't stand,) 24/7, erosion and loss of relationships/friendships.

Just because they get paid well, doesn't render them immune from these problems.

Agreed and also, most people aren't watched by several hundred thousand people when they go about their job. So for other workers who might live away from home from periods, yeah it's tough, but then you add the constant scrutiny of being a professional footballer, it's an added level of stress.

And especially this year with them having virtually no contact with the outside world. They are still in a lockdown, so they spend all their time at training, the games or at home. That is no way to live.

Did you read the Brett Morris comments today, he said he's dying to get out of the bubble and rejoin the real world. His comments were in relation to Origin 2020 being after the GF.

I didn't see his comments, but they don't surprise me. I wouldn't be surprised if a few players decided to skip origin this year.

 

[JD Tiger]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

Who cares & why do we need to know?

What’s to say it wasn’t BJ but more his family situation.

If he & his wife want privacy they should be given it.

I was just wondering why all the talk about it in relation to BJ. I agree it's the individual's personal business, and ideally should be kept out of the public sphere.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

Who cares & why do we need to know?

What’s to say it wasn’t BJ but more his family situation.

If he & his wife want privacy they should be given it.

I was just wondering why all the talk about it in relation to BJ. I agree it's the individual's personal business, and ideally should be kept out of the public sphere.

He could get all the privacy he wants by taking up ESL 4 YEAR deal

 

[cochise]

I remember reading that BJ took his family back to Canberra to be closer to family, but I don't remember reading anything about how he may be facing mental health issues?

Did I miss that somewhere?

Who cares & why do we need to know?

What’s to say it wasn’t BJ but more his family situation.

If he & his wife want privacy they should be given it.

I was just wondering why all the talk about it in relation to BJ. I agree it's the individual's personal business, and ideally should be kept out of the public sphere.

I don't think anyone is talking about specifics with BJ, just more about how it would be difficult being away from his family like he is and maybe that should be taken into consideration when looking at his form.

 

[ElleryHanley]

Hard to overstate just what a failure Joey has been...here we are in the final round and a broken down, immobile, Lawrence is in the centers whilst a two time Dally M center of the year watches on. A massive flop.

Hopefully his brother helps get him fit and motivated, otherwise his 550 a year for two more years will be yet another bad contract we are stuck with.

 

[Tore85]

Luciano looked much better than Matterson last night. Think we dodged another bullet with Matterson.

 

[izotope]

Luciano looked much better than Matterson last night. Think we dodged another bullet with Matterson.

I agree, i think the biggest thing missing is we never have support around LL and Matterson does. Both can offload, LL more a tackle breaker for me

 

[Guest]

Luciano looked much better than Matterson last night. Think we dodged another bullet with Matterson.

I agree, i think the biggest thing missing is we never have support around LL and Matterson does. Both can offload, LL more a tackle breaker for me

Agree. Didn't really notice Matterson last night.

 

[the_third]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/nrl-2021-joey-leilua-wests-tigers-star-ate-chicken-burgers-twice-a-day-unable-to-visit-sick-mother/news-story/f1bd313ccf05d83759d63419c8d410e6

‘Absolutely disgusting’: Brutally honest Tigers star Joey Leilua sheds 10kg after daily burger binges

WESTS TIGERS
George Clarke - March 4, 2021 6:13am


In a way only Joey Leilua can, the Wests Tigers centre refuses to do his final interview of the day – unless he can sit on the bonnet of coach’s Michael Maguire’s car.

It’s all done with a mischievous grin of course.

But he takes a seat on Maguire’s Volkswagen, opens his mouth and what comes out is a raw and honest assesment of his first year at the Wests Tigers.

“Absolutely disgusting,” he tells foxsports.com.au without hesitation.

“It was poor from me. I never want to see myself like that again. I was poor in my performances … they signed me to make the club better.

“I let the club down and the fans. My job this year is doing my best as I can to repay them.

“When you sign someone you expect them to do a job and I didn’t do that last year.

“I can’t make excuses with COVID but it was pretty tough for me at times.”

Things were a slog for Leilua. After leaving the Raiders for the Tigers he struggled for form.

Fans can allow him the odd on-field discretion because of his mercurial brilliance.

But his discipline – which has never been his finest attribute – wavered even more.

There was that moment when he questioned the decisions of match officials on his Instagram account in a loss to the Gold Coast and when he gave Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards the clothesline.

He’s always played on the edge. But suddenly a man, who anointed himself as the game’s best centre 12 months ago, wasn’t delivering the magic to compensate for the madness.

While he was forced into a bubble his wife and kids were in Canberra and he was unable to see his mum, Aranata, who is currently having kidney dialysis.

“It was so hard not seeing her, and it’s hard for her,” he says. “She’s our No. 1. I’m a mummy’s boy and I always want to look after her.

“She didn’t tell anyone for five years and then she broke the news to us about two years ago.

“Last year was tough with her being like that and I couldn’t see my mum because of the rules.

“You want to go see her because she’s going through a difficult time. My family were in Canberra the whole season and so it was difficult at the time as I was by myself.”

Alone in Sydney, he gave little regard for what he was putting in his body.

“I thought what am I going to eat” he says. “It was more Oporto, man. I was eating Oporto every day for lunch and dinner.

“Chicken fillet Bondi. It was bad, I wasn’t an athlete last year, I can tell you that much.

“I was weighing too heavy last year. This year is different, I stuck to my diet, controlled my weight and now I’m down to my playing weight.”

Tigers insiders reckon that Leilua has dropped upwards of 10kg in a bid to get in shape and both his wife and children are back in Sydney ahead of the new season.

He has shaken off a foot injury and will be ready for Round 1 when he’ll change edges – to the left – alongside brother Luciano.

“Jimmy Roberts came into the squad and I said I’d do whatever’s best for the team,” he adds.

“I can still get the fend and get the ball away, that’s why it didn’t bother me.

“I’m in a happy place now, this is the best I’ve ever been. I feel great and had a really good pre-season, I can’t wait for the season to start.”

----------------------------------

Good explanation into last year and probably what his trip to Canberra was about

 

[rihannafan1]

Contract year!

If that's what he was like with 10kgs I'm looking forward to him fit.

 

[Geo]

Joey..I'm not angry anymore..

 

[twentyforty]

Say three Hail Marys then get out there and shows us what you’ve got!