Over the past 12 months, we have seen Brendan Elliot go from a solid centre to the player who ensured Manly did not miss a step while Tom Trbojevic was out injured when he filled in at fullback for the Australian International.

Elliot’s career would begin as a junior for for the Sydney Roosters and oddly enough it was while doing a household chore that he learned all his hard work and dedication to that point had paid off, which was shortly followed by an NRL debut.

“I first signed to the Roosters as a 15-year-old after playing in a nationals under 15s comp in Adelaide. It was more of an academy contract until I moved to Sydney in 2012 and signed a further two years to finish out under 20s,” Elliot tells Everything Rugby League

“Making my debut in 2014 was quite funny actually. I used to mow lawns during the day as a u/20s player before going to train in the evening. It was a Friday afternoon and we were just finishing up a lawn when I checked my phone and saw a missed call from Trent Robinson. I told my boss and he laughed and jokingly said you better call him back he might need you to play tomorrow.

“I called Robbo back and he said “mate we need you to play tomorrow night, you’re going to make your debut!” I couldn’t believe it!

“The game its self was a tough one, we were up 24-4 at half time and ended up losing something like 32-24.”

In 2016 Elliot made a mid-season move to the Newcastle Knights which took him from a fringe first grader to a consistent NRL player.

The on-field results may have gone against Elliot’s Knights for the majority of his time at the club, however, that didn’t stop him from falling in love with the club and more importantly, the fans.

“I really enjoyed my time at Newcastle, it was a tough couple of years as we had such a young and inexperienced squad although really enjoyed it.

“We lost more games than we won but we had the second-highest if not the highest home game fan attendance that year which was incredible. The Novocastrians live and breathe footy!”

After a short period at the Gold Coast Titans in 2018, the 26-year-old moved to the Sea Eagles last season and was unexpectedly put into the fullback role after Tom Trbojevic’s multiple injuries.

Despite primarily being a centre, Elliot found himself in the career-best form once making the transition to the number one jumper and wouldn’t have been able to do so without the assistance of super coach Des Hasler.

“Before round one last year I had previously played six games at fullback, playing a majority of my career at centre and wing. Learning so much from Des and Turbo and having played a fair portion of the year in the no.1 jersey, I can confidently say my game has come a fair way since first arriving at the club.”

“The reason I feel my game has come a long way since arriving at the club has a lot to do with Des Hasler. I’ve said it openly that he is the best coach I have ever played under. He has so much experience and his coaching style is like no other.

“I feel as though I’ve found a home here at Manly and would love the opportunity to keep representing the club for some years to come!”

At this point in time, Elliot is off contract, however judging off of his final statement, the fullback will not be leaving the club any time soon.