All in the name of magic: Aloiai a man full of tricks

Josh Aloiai hasn't had much luck when it comes to Magic Round success on the field but if his efforts off it are anything to go by, the Sea Eagles forward is most suited to the weekend than all. 

Aloiai is a self-taught magician in his spare time, a talent fitting ahead of his side's clash against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in what will be his second Magic Round appearance after injuries struck in 2019 and 2021.

While the 27-year-old won't be able to use his magic card skills to influence victory on Friday night, he is often the one to turn to when a deck of cards is on a table around his teammates.

"I do a little bit of card magic," Aloiai told NRL.com. 

"It’s one of my weird hobbies, I've been doing it for a few years because I'm a bit of a nerd like that. All I need is a deck of cards and I’ll blow your mind.

"I can’t tell you how I learn it, you’ve got to go to Hogwarts for that… no I’m just joking, it took a lot of work online and it takes a lot of practice."

Aloiai's skills were also in good use when the Sea Eagles were forced to move to the Sunshine Coast in 2021 when the NRL relocated to Queensland due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The squad stayed at the same resort as the Panthers, Roosters and Knights for months, where Aloiai ran a fun magic session for staff, players and their families.

"The kids all loved it, I did a segment for everyone and during that period there was a lot of spare time away from training," Aloiai said. 

"Some of them asked a lot of questions and you pass a bit of knowledge on. I have met a few magicians and I have a few friends who could do it so I learn off them as well."

Aloiai was one of more than half the squad who spent a night at Tom Trbojevic's house last month as part of a bonding session that the Sea Eagles forward believes has been a major difference to the side's connectivity this season.

The players played poker while Trbojevic hosted the evening with plenty of food - surely making it the perfect opportunity for Aloiai to put his card tricks to the ultimate test.

Or not?

"They wouldn’t have even noticed if I did, but there’s no cheating during poker," Aloiai laughs.

"The boys will be off me. We had the next day off so we went and played cards at Tom’s and we all had a feed. We hung out and that’s what we’re about here.

"The bond we all have at the club has never been stronger."