Alick to make Kumuls debut

WHEN Jacob Alick joined Gold Coast on a train-and-trial deal at the end of last year, it was never in his wildest dreams that he would represent Papua New Guinea six months later.
In fact, the electrifying edge forward would have probably laughed at anyone who suggested it.
But fast forward to the here and now, the 23-year-old will step foot onto Campbelltown Sports Stadium tomorrow night and make his Kumuls debut in the Pacific Test match against Fiji.
It’s an outcome he was never expecting when he first took up the opportunity to join the Titans in November.
“It has been a crazy six months for myself,” Alick said.
“If you had told me where I’d be right now back then, I probably would’ve laughed.
“It’s been a long journey for me, but to see the rewards coming now, it’s really good.
“I’m just enjoying my footy back at Burleigh and obviously training here every day, it has been a learning experience.
“Everything is coming along so far and I’m loving it… I can’t complain at all.”
Playing 20 games for Souths Logan across two seasons of the Hostplus Cup between 2019 and 2021, it was a family friend who happened to lure Alick to the Coast, only expecting to gain some experience with the National Rugby League club during a six-week stint in the offseason before playing for Burleigh Bears.
“Bears assistant coach Scott Sipple is a good mate of my old man and I just had a casual conversation with him one day,” Alick said.
“He asked me what I was doing next year and if I’d be keen to come down to the Bears.
“I ended up having a meeting with Bears head coach Rick Stone and it went from there.
“They offered me a six-week train-and-trial deal and I took it with both hands.
“I’d be silly not to take the opportunity and obviously, this has come from it.
“I’m so glad that I made that move now.
“It has been really good and my family are really proud.
“They’ve seen how hard I’ve worked behind the scenes and obviously, it’s taken a while now… I’m 23.
“They’re just so happy for me and proud.”
From taking that opportunity which led to a full-time contract at the Gold Coast came another chance for the forward, this time representing his heritage, receiving an interesting phone call in May to flag the potential of joining the Kumuls for their campaign.
“It’s wild actually,” Alick said.
“I honestly hadn’t really thought about it too much.
“I got a call probably a month ago now from the head of football in PNG, just asking about my eligibility and seeing if I was keen.
“I didn’t even think about it when it came up… I was really happy to do it.
“I’m really proud of where I’m from and my grandmother was born there actually.
“She passed away probably 10 years ago now, so it’s pretty cool that I get to represent her and represent where she’s from.”
Never really being part of a representative programme before, the rookie is chomping at the bit to be part of his first experience in a rugby league camp.
“I honestly can’t wait to get into camp,” Alick said.
“I’ve never really been in a camp to be honest and haven’t been in any sort of representative sides, so it’s going to be an eye-opening experience.
“I honestly just want to get in there and meet all the boys and do my best for the jersey.”
The Kumuls boast South Sydney Rabbitoh Alex Johnston, Brisbane Bronco David Mead and Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam.
“Obviously, there are a few players in the PNG side who are regular NRL players, so I’ll just be trying to learn off them,” Alick said.
“I’ll just try and be a sponge and soak it all up.”
– Titans