HE was cut loose by Canterbury but Sunshine Coast product Patrick Templeman is more determined than ever to make the NRL big time.
The 21-year-old will play for Wynnum-Manly in the Intrust Super Cup next year after being told his services weren't required at Belmore.
He failed to break through this year after scoring more than 300 points for the club in the Toyota Cup (under-20s) the previous season.
"I guess you could say it went a little pear-shaped but I'm very excited to be back up here in familiar surroundings and I'm looking forward to doing a big pre-season and then hopefully a big year," he said.
"I'm still young and still hungry so I'm definitely still keen on chasing the NRL dream."
Templeman's manager Shaun Pyne told the Daily last week that North Queensland had invited him to pre-season training at Townsville but he opted to join the Seagulls who are linked to the Brisbane Broncos.
"It's a path (into the Broncos) but there are plenty of opportunities here and plenty of people watching (from other NRL clubs) so all I can do is train hard and hopefully have a big year," he said.
The former Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles (now Falcons) player said his time during the three-year stint in Sydney had been pivotal for his development.
"I grew up a lot and learned a lot about footy," he said.
"I've been coached by some of the best coaches in the game (Des Hasler) and learned from some of the best players (Mick Ennis) so it was definitely a positive experience.
"This year didn't go the way I would have wanted it to but the previous two years (in under-20s) were probably the best two footy years of my life."
Templeman will link with former Sunshine Coast team-mate Mitchell Buckett at Wynnum.
Buckett was with South Sydney but linked with the Seagulls a year ago after failing to make his NRL debut at Redfern.
"I get to play with Mitch again which is something I'm very excited about," Templeman said.
"WE'RE pretty good mates. He gives me a lot of confidence and I know the way he plays so I'm looking forward to getting back with him.
"Things didn't work out like he would have wanted to either and he's come back up here and had a massive year this year and he'll be looking to build on that again next year. We both give each other a lot of confidence so hopefully we can bounce off each other."
- STEELE TAYLOR