REDCLIFFE Dolphins centre Thompson Teteh is ready and raring to line up against his old team in Papua New Guinea on Sunday.
The 27-year-old, who grew up in Asaroufa near Goroka town in the Eastern Highlands Province, said he was excited “to play in front of my family and friends”.
“It will be fun rubbing shoulders with my old teammates,” Teteh said, hopeful he would be able to stay in PNG for a few days afterwards.
The father-of-three’s life in Redcliffe is very different from his life in PNG.
“I grew up from a broken home … it’s really hard for me,” said Teteh, who initially experienced via issues but sorted them — with the help of Dolphins football operations manager Grant Cleal — just in time for the Intrust Super Cup season kick-off.
“I was two when my parents got separated and I was raised by my grandparents.
“I always said I would see Australia one fine day.”
Teteh’s grandmother died when he was 14, but his grandfather, Hename Gorohae, still lives in his home village, where Teteh is building him a house.
“I always send money back home to make sure he’s OK,” Teteh said. “He won’t watch me play because he’s back in the village … maybe on a TV screen.”
Teteh is glad the Dolphins gave him the opportunity to realise his childhood dream of coming to Australia.
“I really do find myself feeling at home (in Redcliffe) … everyone here in the club are so nice to me,” Teteh said. “The club has a good culture.”
The Dolphins will play PNG Hunters in Port Moresby on Sunday at 3pm.
Source: Redcliffe & Bayside Herald