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Thomas Mikaele is ecstatic to be home.

Having completed a full circle journey with his fair share of ups and downs in 84 first grade appearances, the 25-year-old will return to the NRL this Sunday in the Titans' historic clash against the Dolphins full of zest with a new lease of life after his stint abroad.

Having made a shock switch to Warrington in the English Super League mid-last year after serving as a regular member of the Wests Tigers' engine room since 2019, the move was more about hitting the reset button to keep his career flourishing - something he hopes to now do upon joining the Gold Coast.

"The decision to go over there was just I needed a change to be honest; I wasn’t enjoying my footy and I didn’t really feel like playing anymore," Mikaele revealed.

"I needed to move over there to kick start my passion and love for the game again and I really enjoyed playing over there. It was hard to leave, I was very disappointed to leave but obviously happy to come home.

"It was more just my family was struggling over there, I’ve got a new born now so my partner and I needed support with the kids and that was that."

Thomas Mikaele will play his first game for the Titans this Sunday against the Dolphins. Photo: Gold Coast Titans
Thomas Mikaele will play his first game for the Titans this Sunday against the Dolphins. Photo: Gold Coast Titans

Whilst born in Ipswich and coming through the grades at the Goodna Eagles, his new NRL club isn't a sight unseen for the former Australian Schoolboy.

Finishing his final two years of education at local rugby league nursery Keebra Park, Mikaele happened to share the field with a number of his current teammates... something that has certainly assisted his introduction immensely. 

"There’s a few of us – obviously David (Fifita), Moe (Fotuaika), Tanah (Boyd), a couple of other boys in the younger grades," he said.

"It’s made it easy for me to slot in. I know how they play and they know how I play.

"There’s other boys I know here through junior footy as well."

In his first opportunity wearing Titans colours, the middle forward is excited to play an all-important role off the bench against the Dolphins' formidable forward pack, hoping he can become a regular within the top 17 and earn an extension with the Coast.

"I haven’t really thought about [the future] to be honest," Mikaele said.

"I’m just happy to be back home and grateful to the Titans for giving me the opportunity to come back here and play with a couple of mates as well.

"My preference is to stay here for as long as I can."

Acknowledgement of Country

 National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.