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Star Tigers rookie James Roberts has revealed he plans to move away from the rugby league in the midst of an emotional 2020 season that has seen the former Suds speedster grapple with demons from his past.
Roberts has had a tough season – marred by injury in the already grueling conditions of a global pandemic, the 28-year-old has spent time in rehab to get his mental health under control.
Sidelined for South Sydney and with bleak prospects, Roberts has revealed he’s on the verge of stepping away from the game for good.
“I was just thinking about throwing it all out, giving up and getting a normal job, just walking away from it all,” Roberts told Nine News.
“I was just going through the motions. I didn’t like myself. I just didn’t have any self-confidence in the end and just didn’t know what I was really doing. I was just lost. .
“I’m always going to have these demons and my childhood traumas are going to show up every now and then, I just have to stay on top of them.
“It’s something I’m working on now, just my mental illness stuff and just talking about what’s bothering me and trying to be as happy as possible.
With a new running lease and a great opportunity under former coach Michael Maguire at Wests Tigers, Roberts said he was excited to jumpstart his career and get back to basics.
“I wanted to start over I guess and wanted to be challenged. To be around a younger group and work in the team again and get out of my comfort zone.
“I know he is [Maguire] gonna challenge me and push me where I want to go, I just have to join in too. “
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