LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Daniel Atkinson made the difficult decision to leave the Cronulla Sharks and join the St George-Illawarra Dragons in order to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a starting half in the NRL.
Despite the Sharks having a solid halves pairing in Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes, Atkinson felt the need to make the move for his own career aspirations.
He explained, "When I was a little boy going to NRL games, all I wanted to do was play in the halves and get my hands on the ball." Watching players like Darren Locker and Johnathan Thurston inspired him, and after playing in the halves for most of last season, he felt at home in that position.
The move to the Dragons provides him with the opportunity to continue developing as a half and work towards achieving his goal.
The decision was not an easy one for Atkinson or the Sharks, as losing a talented player like him is always a challenge.
While the club may have been fairly settled in their current halves pairing, they understood and respected Atkinson's desire to further his career.
The move represents a new chapter in Atkinson's career and a chance for him to prove himself in his preferred position on the field.
Overall, Atkinson's decision highlights the importance of pursuing one's dreams and taking opportunities that can lead to personal and professional growth.