There are few better stories in the NRL in 2024 than that of Dragons battler Tom Eisenhuth.
The 31-year-old forward made his debut for the Panthers in 2012 – but it was his only game for the club and he drifted around the lower grades for the next six seasons.
In 2019, Craig Bellamy gave him a chance and his second game came a remarkable 2398 days after his first.
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He was very much a fill-in player at the Storm and was released at the end of last season but moved to the Dragons this year and handed in arguably the best display of his career in the demolition of the Tigers last Friday night.
Eisenhuth showed never seen before confidence with the football, running for 150 metres and coming up with a game-high three offloads.
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He’s a great example of persistence and patience paying off.
The Dragons were only prepared to throw Eisenhuth a one-year lifeline but the bearded forward is now a big part of the Dragons’ finals charge and is set to sign a new deal soon.
With seven wins and six losses, the Dragons are one of the big improvers in the NRL in 2024.
They currently sit in equal eighth spot with the Broncos on the ladder and with Origin players Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax in career best form, are a big chance of playing finals footy.
At this stage last season, they were in tatters, sitting on the bottom of the ladder with just three wins.
Full marks to coach Shane Flanagan, who has give the place a much-needed shake-up and restored the faith of the club’s long-suffering fans.