Former NRL Star Nathan Friend Reflects On His Career

The Rush Hour with AB & Elliot


30 April 2022

Former NRL star Nathan Friend has reflected on his incredible footy career - including how things have changed a lot for footy players since he was a young player. 



The NRL All-Star and Gold Coast Titan founding player dropped in to chat with On The Rush Hour with AB & Elliot for a special edition of Where Are They Now. 

The Toowoomba-born Friend spoke about juggling his early NRL career with a bricklaying job, helping him "pay the mortgage and pay the bills" after signing with the Broncos on $7,000 a year.

"I knew what hard work was and I knew I'd have to get back into the workforce at the end of my career," he said, before reflecting on how different things are today. 

“Once upon a time there was no minimum wage, and now it’s 100k and they kind of demand things they haven’t earned. That’s where we have issues.”

LISTEN HERE:

After 34 games with the Storm, Friend played 121 games for Gold Coast. He then spent two years with New Zealand before returning to the club he called home. 

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