Home town return has Tigers tearaway Pole roaring to go

Wests Tigers is a long way from Sunbury Tigers, but for prop Fonua Pole, both hold a special place for him.

The hard-running forward, who grew up in Melbourne and developed his love of the game as a Sunbury junior, will return to his former home city when the joint-venture club clash against Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park in Round 10.

Having also been at Storm before making his NRL debut with the Tigers in 2022, Pole has always been spurred on to take his game to the next level against the Victorian powerhouse team.

“I always look forward to playing Melbourne,” Pole said.

“Things didn’t work out when I was there - and I supported them as a kid - so it’s always good to play them; gives me a little extra motivation when I go up against them.

“I didn’t really feel like I was getting looked at over there. The pathways weren’t as good as they are right now… they’ve built a good system and pathway for the young ones now ... but back when I was there, it was pretty hard to see locals in the top grade.

“As soon as I left, that’s when they started prioritising their pathways. It was just timing.”

Pole said Storm had tried to get him back multiple times, but he was loyal to the club that gave him the opportunity to take his game to the next level.

“I’m loyal, grateful for this club for giving me the opportunity… trying to pay them back through my performances,” Pole said.

“It was hard because I grew up in a family-oriented family and moving away from my family was pretty hard at the time to come and chase this opportunity.

:But I think it all paid off in the end and it was God’s work, so I’m just happy everything worked out.

“I’m happy with where I’m at. Just trying to repay this club for the opportunity they gave me.

“I’ve still got a lot of work to do. I’m happy with the way I’m progressing and I’m just working every week to get better with each game ... still hoping for more.”

Having been stung by a golden point loss to the Raiders, Pole said Storm would be hard to beat in Melbourne, especially in front of their home fans. 

“They’re always hard to beat wherever they are, but I think at home, it gives them the extra boost,” Pole said.

“But for me, I think it will be even better for me, because all of my family is still back there.

"They don’t get many opportunities to watch me in person, so to have them there, is going to be really special for me.”

Going up against former teammate Stefano Utoikamanu is also something spurring Pole on for his next game.

“It definitely makes it a bit fun, I’ll try and go after him a little bit," Pole said.

"He’s been giving it to me because I played the game with him a lot… he’s been waiting for this game, but I’ll do my job and just treat it like any other week.

“Whoever we’re playing, I try and aim up. Everyone is just focused on our team and what we’re trying to build as a team. I think we’re pretty happy with where we’re going."

Pole, who played his 65th game against the Dragons during Magic Round, said his side was buoyed by their win, even though it “wasn’t our best performance”.

“It was scrappy in the middle, a tough battle… I’m just glad we came away with the two points,” Pole said, adding teammate Terrell May was as excellent as usual and he expected the same would happen in Melbourne.

“He’s just a freak. Genetically, I think he’s blessed with a big motor… he’s not lazy too,” Pole said.

“You can tell he’s worked for where he’s at now and he’s set the standard at training as well, especially with having a lot of young people at training.

"It's a young team, he’s set the standard with a lot of extras and even on our days off, he’s always leading a team with extras.

"We’ve got boxing on off days. He’s just driving standards.”