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Momirovski finds home on Panthers edge

3 minute read

Penrith's Paul Momirovski has played for four clubs in as many years but lessons from the game's biggest stars helped him finally nail down a starting spot.

JAMES TEDESCO.
JAMES TEDESCO. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

NRL nomad Paul Momirovski hasn't settled at one club for longer than a season, but lessons from the game's biggest names helped him find a home on Penrith's right edge.

At his fourth club in as many years, Momirovski has managed to not only fight for a starting spot but shift last year's centre of the year Stephen Crichton out to the wing for the past month.

Call him a drifter, but a melting pot of experience from the past four years has helped shape him as he learnt from some of the game's superstars.

The 25-year-old made his debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2018 as part of a backline that included representative stars James Tedesco, Joseph Manu and Latrell Mitchell.

One-season stints with Wests Tigers and Melbourne also had him working with Cameron Munster, as well as NRL legends Cameron Smith and Benji Marshall, taking lessons that he wouldn't give up for anything.

"Over the last four years there hasn't been one time where I have felt like I haven't been improving or haven't been getting better or progressing my career," he said.

"It's easy to say four clubs in four years and look at it as a negative, but it has only been a positive.

"If you look at the teams I have been at, I have learned so much and got so much better as a player and a person.

"I have met some great people and made some great friendships.

"Not one bit of those last four years I would take back.

"To be where I am at right now at a great club in a great position, fighting for a title, I couldn't be happier."

A hip injury and a three-week suspension earlier in the year have kept him to just 15 games, but it's the most he's played in a season at one club.

It's also more than he was guaranteed when he arrived at Penrith on a swap deal in February.

With Daine Laurie going to the Tigers, the Panthers signed Momirovski on a two-year-deal with no promises he would nail down a starting spot.

Hard work got him into the best 17 but a hunger to show he deserves it kept him there.

"You're not guaranteed anything in this game," he said.

"It's pretty familiar territory for me, having to fight your way into a team.

"I've had to do it a few times in my career, and it's good.

"Every time you get that little more hungry to keep your position.

"Obviously if you speak to someone at the start of the year they would love to play 25 games and the finals, but sometimes that's not the case.

"It wasn't the case this year with the suspension and injury there.

"But I am in a really good place now."

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