After nearly three years of uncertainty regarding his rugby league career, Patrick Herbert found a surprising opportunity thanks to Benji Marshall.
On Sunday, Herbert not only made his long-awaited return to the NRL after a staggering 965 days but also scored a try and assisted another in Wests Tigers' impressive victory against Newcastle.
Originally, Herbert was set to play for French side Catalans Dragons in the Super League for the 2023 season; however, his aspirations were derailed by a severe Achilles injury, which he sustained while recovering from an ACL injury.
This misfortune left him without a contract, leading to a stint playing for Dapto in the Illawarra league while balancing his work as an electrician and tradie.
"The dream was faded," reflected Herbert, who had previously appeared in 59 NRL games for the Warriors and Gold Coast between 2019 and 2022.
Despite the setback, Herbert found solace in local league play, stating, "I had no chips on the table. So I just ended up playing local league and I was happy to do that and working full-time."
His emotional return to professional rugby league not only marks a significant personal achievement but also highlights the unpredictable nature of sports career trajectories.