LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL big man Toby Rudolf has opened up about the challenges of navigating life as a footy star in the age of smartphones.
The Cronulla Sharks' prop admits he often ponders what it would have been like to play in the pre-smartphone era, where social media didn't dominate every aspect of a player's life.
"It's a different ball game now, mate.
Phones have just opened the floodgates to everyone having a cheeky peek into your personal life," Rudolf shared on the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone with J.Mo podcast.
"You've gotta watch your step and be switched on 24/7.
It's just the nature of the beast in this game we love."
Rudolf, a seasoned veteran at 28, has been on the rugby league scene for as long as he can remember.
He reflects on the glory days of the sport when players weren't constantly under the microscope of social media scrutiny.
But he knows that's just how the cookie crumbles in the modern era of footy.
"It's all part and parcel of the game, mate.
You've gotta roll with the punches and adapt to the times," Rudolf said.
In a world where every move can be scrutinized and recorded by strangers on the street, Rudolf knows the importance of keeping your guard up and your focus sharp.
It's just the cross he bears as a professional athlete in today's fast-paced sporting landscape.