RECENTLY retired NRL player David Mead will return to Lismore and play with Marist Brothers in Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League this season.
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Mead,34, has played professionally since 2009 in the NRL and English Super League.
He is the most significant signing Brothers have made for a number of years while the club also has new coaches in Matt Barber and Mick Davis.
The talented winger will most likely play fullback, but can cover a number of positions in the backline.
It will be a shot in the arm for Brothers who battled on after the floods in 2022.
"Thank you Marist Brothers," Mead said when the club announced his signing on its Facebook page.
"I'm excited to come back to Lismore where it all started.
"I'd like to help out with the rugby league team and contribute in the community like many others have."
Mead was born in Port Moresby and moved to Lismore at the age of 12 where he played rugby league and rugby union between 2000 and 2006.
He made junior representative teams in both codes and also attended Kadina High School and Trinity Catholic College during his time on the Northern Rivers.
He was a member of the Gold Coast Titans in the inaugural under 20s competition and first played for Papua New Guinea in the 2008 World Cup.
He went on to make his NRL debut at the Titans the following season and played 147 games for the Gold Coast between 2009 and 2016 where he held the clubs record for most tries.
His international career saw him captain PNG multiple times and play in three world cups.
Mead has been living in Brisbane where he played 12 NRL games for the Broncos over the past two seasons.
Brothers finished the NRRRL season in sixth spot last season and have also signed experienced Queensland Cup player Mitch Shaw.
They have retained a core group of players including forwards Lochie Perren and Paul O'Neill along with Mitchell Krause in the backline.
Former NRL player Todd Carney is captain-coach at Byron Bay again this season while Evans Head will look to go one better after playing Bilambil in the 2022 grand final.
The NRRRL season will start in April.
Mitchell Craig
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
