‘I wanted to be part of it’: Purcell’s return home delivers memories for life

Jaron Purcell counts himself among the lucky ones.

The Redcliffe Dolphins forward will today don the red and white to play on the national stage in the NRL State Championship against the Penrith Panthers – one week on from becoming a Hostplus Cup premiership winner.

But just three months ago, Purcell wasn’t even in the country, let alone at Redcliffe.

After starting his third pre-season on the Peninsula, the 25-year-old took up an opportunity with Oldham in the UK, leaving before the season proper kicked off for the Hostplus Cup.

It was a “now or never” opportunity for Purcell, but soon it became clear that there was only one place he belonged – back in Redcliffe.

“I decided to take it but halfway through the year I wasn’t enjoying my footy as much as I would have hoped,” Purcell said.

“I was missing home, my mates, all the boys at Reddy. Through the whole process I was in contact with Junz (Junior Mautairi), Disco (Dave Elliott) and Butters (Tommy Butterfield) about where my head was at.

“They welcomed me back with open arms and I got to put on the Redcliffe jersey again this year.

“I’m very lucky and grateful that Redcliffe welcomed me back with open arms. I can’t say thank you enough to Disco, Butters and the club for welcoming me back.

“I could see what was developing and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

It’s what made last week’s victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons all the more special for Purcell.

His decision to come home paid off in the best way possible and he said it was a “weird” feeling when the final hooter rang to know how far he’d come this season.

“It’s so hard to win grand finals so to be able to come back late and win one, it’s a very special feeling and one I will cherish for the rest of my life,” he said.

“It was a whirlwind – there were so many emotions. You’re happy, you’re relieved, but in one word, it was excited.

“We worked so hard all year to win it and then when it finally comes, it’s the best feeling ever.

“I didn’t really have any expectations when I came back. I just wanted to do whatever the team needed, whether it was help out at training and get them ready for games or helping the BRL side or playing Cup as much as I did. Wherever I could help out, I was happy to.”

Purcell has helped the premiership victory sink in by taking the Hostplus Cup trophy on a tour of the Peninsula this week alongside Sheldon Pitama and Joshua James.

He said along the way, members of the Redcliffe community have been coming up and congratulating them and asking for photos, making it more clear how much their premiership victory means not just to the Dolphins, but the people.

But now their attention has turned to today’s clash in Sydney.

New South Wales hold the advantage when it comes to the State Championship, but the Dolphins are determined to continue rewriting history, especially under coach Dave Elliott who led Norths to a State Championship victory in 2024.

“Throughout this whole final series, Disco has been really good,” Purcell said.

“He’s very committed and knows the right thing to say and when to say it. He can sense when the boys are a bit nervy.

“He just knows what to say to bring us back to the mindset we need.

“It’s going to be a great experience (the State Championship). They’re very hard to make let alone win.

“We’ve prepared well throughout the week and we’re going down to win it. That’s shown by the boys that have come back from NRL. They’ve put their hand up again and we’re going down with a strong side.

“There’s only two players in our squad that have been in a national final and Sam (Elliott) is the only one that’s won. It’s exciting for us to get down there.

“To play them on the big dance, grand final day, it’s something everyone is going to being excited for.”