There is a lot to unpack ahead of Ioane Seiuli’s 100th Hostplus Cup appearance.
The narrative starts on the wing at the Souths Logan Magpies in 2018 in a 16-8 loss to the Dolphins, it then winds its way past the Tweed for 75 games, through the hills of the Tigers for 12 games and the last stop has been the Jets for 11 games as he marks 100 games on Sunday against Wynnum, now in the second row.
Seiuli has found a new home at Ipswich but je’s never left his previous home on Gold Coast.
The effort and discipline required to travel from the Gold Coast every week to Ipswich is reflected in Seiuli’s football and his last 99 games.
“I drive from the Gold Coast for training which can take hour and a half three nights a week,” Seiuli said.
“I make it fun though, Jayden Wright carpools with me and he brings the lollies,
“it’s normally lolly snakes.
“I am really loving my time at Ipswich,
“I have taken something from every club that I have played at,
“Ben Woolf was my coach at Tweed and in the Country Round match against Central Queensland he moved me into the second row and I scored two tries.
“I have never been back to the wing again but if the Jets needed me to, I would jump back out there for sure.
“If Tony Francis is injured on Sunday, I am the man to fill in.”
Seiuli’s best mate and travel buddy is Jets’ second rower Jayden Wright.
Wright and Seiuli have played 15 games together across the Tweed and Ipswich.
Jayden Wright reflected on Seiuli 100th game.
“I am not surprised he’s playing 100 games; he’s so dedicated to everything, he is professional and he makes the players around him more professional.” Wright said.
“He brings great energy and a loud voice on the field and at training,
“I love playing with him and can’t wait to see him play 100 games.
It’s noticeable that the Jets are a happy team, coming back from unwinnable positions and hanging on when you must doesn’t happen for unhappy teams.
Seiuli knows that happiness plays a major part in any success.
“I have loved all my teammates, and I think we are a happy team at the Jets.
“I am really enjoying it now and a huge part of that is the Jets and my teammates.
It’s hard to know what comes first, football happiness, 100 game happiness, or eating lolly snakes with your football mates.
Maybe it’s just all happy.
