‘It felt like a promotion’: How Storm stint helped Nofoaluma fall in love with footy again

David Nofoaluma has described his six-game stint with the Storm as “one of the best things of my career” after a maiden finals appearance helped him fall back in love with the game after almost a decade of heartbreak.

With the Tigers no chance of playing finals footy last season, Nofoaluma – who spent time in reserve grade last year – made the call to move south where the Storm were experiencing a backline crisis with a number of players out injured.

David Nofoaluma was dropped to NSW Cup last year. Picture: Damian ShawSource: News Corp Australia

It was rumoured at the time that the move could spell the end of his career at the club he made his NRL debut with back in 2013, with Nofoaluma seemingly fed up with their inability to challenge for titles.

Round 1

Nofoaluma got the chance to play finals down in Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“When you’re younger, you’re buzzing because you get the chance to do something you’ve dreamed about since you were a kid. Once you establish yourself in your career, you then want to enjoy some success.

“So for me not being able to play finals, that took a huge toll on me and affected me mentally.

“I‘d say I’ve found it difficult to take on everything that’s happened in the past two years. That’s why I think going down there was the best thing for me.

“I think they (the Tigers) just knew where my head was at the time, and unfortunately it wasn’t really here.

“I now feel fresh and understand that my role isn’t just to play at my best but to also help my teammates in any way I can to help us be a top side.”

Before he left, Nofoaluma told his Tigers teammates that he’d follow their progress closely and that he still had love for the club.

It was a tough watch as they suffered some shocking losses on their way to the club’s first wooden spoon, which juxtaposed the fun Nofoaluma was having in Melbourne with big-name stars like Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.

Nofoaluma learnt a lot playing with stars like Harry Grant and Cameron Munster. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“It was definitely hard for me to leave that place. I was happy when I was there, and I think anyone would say the same thing because you play your best when you’re happy,” he said.

“When you’ve got an environment that lives and breathes footy, it makes it tough to say goodbye. If anything goes wrong now, I just think of my time down there and remember why I fell in love with this game.”