So here's a confession that'll make my teammates laugh - I first learned about Newcastle through freakin' Geordie Shore reruns. Yep, that MTV trainwreck that somehow made it all the way to Australia. And get this - they had to slap SUBTITLES on it because none of us could understand what teh hell anyone was saying!

I still remember sitting in my living room back in 2018 with my cousin, both of us squinting at the screen trying to decipher what these party animals were screaming about. "Are they speaking English?" he kept asking. We were howling.

That Accent Though...

Listen. When you grow up in Australia, you think you know what English sounds like. Then you hear a proper Geordie accent and suddenly you're questioning everything you thought you knew about language. It's like they're speaking in code.

Now I'm heading there for Magic Weekend with Hull FC, and I'm praying my interviews don't need subtitles too. Wouldn't that be ironic?

The whole black and white thing is pretty cool though - our kit matches the city's vibe perfectly. When we drove into Newcastle this week, it was like entering some alternate universe where everyone worships at the altar of Newcastle United. Jerseys EVERYWHERE. People just casually strolling around decked out in team gear like it's their second skin.

Holy $#@!, That Stadium!

I'd only ever seen St James' Park on TV before. Nothing prepares you for how massive it actually is in person. My teammate nudged me when we first saw it and just said, "Bit different from last season, eh?" Understatement of the century.

Rugby league isn't exactly the first sport people associate with Newcastle. Football dominates everything. But maybe... just maybe... we can convert a few locals after they see what we bring to their cathedral of sport this weekend.

From Teacher to Contender

Last year was rough. I mean, properly soul-crushing at times. We were so bad that I felt more like a kindergarten teacher than a prop forward. The young lads needed guidance through that horror show of a season, and somehow I became the guy dispensing wisdom between getting battered on the pitch.

Now we're sitting fourth in Super League. Fourth! After what we endured in 2024!

My editor asked me yesterday if I felt vindicated. I don't think that's quite the right word. Relieved, maybe? Proud of how those same young players have developed? Definitely.

The Two Versions of Me

There's this weird disconnect between how people see me on game day versus who I actually am. On the field, I'm literally paid to run through human beings. I've represented both New Zealand and Australia against England. I've sent players flying.

Off it? Total softie.

Just ask River, my dog. We couldn't bear to leave him behind when we moved here - he's been with us since he was eight weeks old. Cost me nearly $4K to bring him over, but worth every penny. My wife jokes that I talk to him more sweetly than I've ever talked to her.

When Fans Actually Want to Talk to You...

The difference in public interactions this season compared to last is... well, it's night and day.

Last year, getting recognized while walking River was awkward. You could see people deciding whether to pretend they hadn't seen me or to come over and offer condolences like someone had died. "Tough game yesterday..." they'd mumble, before shuffling away.

Now? They want selfies. They want to talk tactics. They're excited.

One elderly fan stopped me last week and grabbed my arm. "You've brought the joy back," he said. Then he just walked away. Left me standing there with a lump in my throat and River tugging at his leash, completely oblivious to the moment.

So yeah, Geordie Shore might've been my introduction to Newcastle, but I'm hoping to leave a different kind of impression when we face winless Huddersfield on Sunday.

No subtitles needed.