Franklin Pele was on top of the world when, two weeks after his debut, disaster struck and an injury ruled him out until next season. Now fully fit and injury-free, Pele looks ahead to a new and improved 2022 NRL season.
“I loved that feeling, being out there, knowing that I was on TV, knowing that I had made it.”
2021 had been a breakout year for 20-year-old Franklin Pele, but as he first stepped out onto the hallow turf of Coffs Harbour Stadium infront of seven thousand fans, he knew that his dream of playing in the NRL had been fulfilled.
A 38-10 demolition to the Gold Coast Titans, introduced the NRL world to the prop forward, built by a hybrid of speed and power.
Yet after sixteen minutes of competitive rugby league and only two weeks later, Pele’s breakout season had come to a halt.
He required surgery for a foot injury, and as the NRL was relocated to Queensland due to COVID-19, Franklin Pele’s season was over.
Through pure heart and determination, Pele is now fully fit and eager to go, as he sets his sights on being bigger and better for the upcoming season.
“I started at four years old playing in New Zealand. My brother played, my old man played and seeing them play was inspiring and made me want to pursue it.”
Born in New Zealand, Pele and his family moved to the Sutherland Shire in 2008. Pele attended Endeavour Sports High School where he would play competitive rugby league under now current Sharks assistant coach, Dave Howlett.
A high school with a rich history of rugby league alumni and history, Endeavour won the prestigious GIO cup tournament in 2014 where Pele was onlooking in the stands. Now in 2021, Frank plays alongside the stars from that tournament-winning-team and now calls them teammates.
Many former Endeavour alumni play for Cronulla Sharks reserve grade side, the Newtown Jets. The club has seen many of the senior Cronulla representatives rise through the ranks, playing some of their best games.
Yet no other player has made an impact quite like Franklin Pele.
In a NSW Cup fixture against the St George Dragons, Pele scored two tries inside the first four minutes of the game. This included a length-of-the-field try where Pele ran sixty-five metres to score, fending off several Dragons players in the process, not to mention as a prop forward.
The performance surfaced on social media and thus a star was born.
"The coach (John Morris) came up to me halfway through the training session and asked me if I wanted to play NRL this week."
Only a week after his sensational performance for the Newtown Jets, Franklin Pele was set to make his debut for the Cronulla Sharks.
On the 30th of May, Pele made his debut. The match was in round twelve of the 2021 NRL season and was scheduled at Coffs Harbour International Sports Stadium. Seven thousand fans were in attendance, including Pele’s family who flew out from Sydney.
"I had all my family there and I could see them from where they were standing, the crowd was so close to the field so you could really hear everyone cheering."
Pele entered the game in the 35th minute of the contest where he played nine minutes. He was then subbed on for the final seven minutes of the match for Sharks star player and former New Zealand Warrior, Shaun Johnson.
The Cronulla Sharks defeated the Gold Coast Titans 38-10 in a day that Pele would never forget.
Only two weeks after Franklin's Cronulla Sharks debut, Pele sustained a foot injury that would see him on the sidelines for nine to twelve weeks.
"It was a big downfall when I got injured, it was only two weeks after I had made my debut, it was just sad knowing that my season was over."
Early in his rehabilitation, Franklin sourced inspiration from a great mate, Jackson Ferris. Much like Pele, Ferris came through the ranks as a Cronulla Sharks junior and has only made one senior appearance.
Sustaining an injury at the start of the 2021 season, Ferris knew exactly how Pele felt. Ferris has been an immense source of inspiration to Pele throughout his rehabilitation as they are now training for the upcoming season.
Working side by side with his Cronulla teammates has not only inspired Pele but motivated him to be better. Newly signed Cronulla Shark, Cameron McInnes, has worked with Pele as he too has been struck down by injury.
"Working with Cam has been great as we both are going through the same things."
As a scheduled round 25 was imminent, COVID-19 struck NSW and therefore the NRL was relocated to QLD. This relocation meant that Pele would have to stay in Cronulla, meaning that his season was over.
In our interview, Pele placed emphasis on staying positive throughout the unfortunate process. In a period of isolation, the only thing Pele could do was play rugby league, so he chose to use his time training hard and working on his rugby league skills.
"Knowing that I have all this time now to get ready for the next season, motivated me to push myself to come back as strong and better than ever."
Cronulla Sharks have made a plethora of new signings for the upcoming 2022 season, including the signing of former Rooster's assistant coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, as the new head coach. Nico Hynes, Dale Finucane and Cameron McInnes are the key attributions to a fresh 2022 Cronulla side.
Franklin Pele sees this new and improved Cronulla Sharks side as a way of becoming a 'known player' and regular in the starting lineup.
"I definitely want to make my mark and become an enforcer for the team, getting into the team every week."
As a four-year-old boy from New-Zealand, Franklin Pele had a dream. Sixteen years later and with sixteen minutes of competitive game time in his locker, Pele is now a Cronulla Shark and one of the league's special young prospects.
Pele has epitomised what hard work and determination can do when struck with a long-winded battle with injury.
Stranded in the deep end, Franklin Pele had an option to sink or swim, by way of personal strength and with help from teammates and staff, Franklin is now stronger than ever.